David Cullinane
Question:1121. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider opening additional sexual health centres nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17299/21]
View answerSexually Transmitted Infections
Questions (1121)
Written answers
Decisions concerning the provision of sexual health services are made in line with the objectives and strategic vision of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 - 2020 (NSHS), which aims to improve sexual health and wellbeing and reduce negative sexual health outcomes by ensuring that everyone living in Ireland has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services throughout their lives.
Subsequent to publication of the NSHS in 2015, very significant progress has been made in implementing the objectives of the Strategy. Key achievements to date include:
- The rollout of a national treatment programme of Pre – Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEp)
- Ireland’s membership of the Fast Track Cities HIV global partnership project which is driving the response to HIV/AIDS across 300 cities
- Establishment of the National Condom Distribution Service which distributes free condoms and lubricant sachets to a range of vulnerable groups
- A wide range of educational and promotional work with the education system, parents, children and young people to ensure that they receive the information and resources they need to support their relationship and sexual needs
- An ongoing programme of research to provide the evidence base needed to ensure robust policy development
- Responding to the challenges posed by the Covid 19 pandemic in the maintenance of vital HIV/STI services. All health services, including STI/HIV services are continuing to face service restrictions due to the current impact of Covid-19 on the hospital system and social distancing requirements. Public STI clinics are prioritising those with symptoms or requiring treatment, and this includes anyone who may be referred for confirmation HIV testing.
The current Strategy was intended to cover the period from 2015 – 2020, but has now been extended to 2021. It is the intention of my Department to conduct stakeholder consultations and a review of the NSHS this year. The outcome of the consultations and the review will determine the future direction of the Strategy.
It should be noted that the HSE is currently piloting a free home STI/HIV testing service, supported by the Sláintecare Integration Fund, in Dublin, Cork and Kerry. The first phase of tests were made available early January. As a result of very high initial demand for the service, tests will now be made available in a phased manner to ensure there is sufficient capacity in local clinics for service users who may need follow-up treatment or support.
Learnings from this pilot will inform the future direction of online testing, which may prove to be a very valuable intervention in terms of meeting demand for STI services, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, given the ongoing need to comply with necessary pandemic restrictions, including social distancing
Decisions in relation to the manner and location of future sexual health services will be made in the context of the above factors.
Blood Transfusion Service
Questions (1122, 1123, 1195)
David Cullinane
Question:1122. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to resume the blood donation for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men; if the 12 months deferral period will be changed to an individual risk-based assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17300/21]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:1123. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a change to the one-year deferral policy on blood donations for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/21]
View answer
Róisín Shortall
Question:1195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to review the 12-month blood donation ban for gay men, bisexual men, transgender men and men who have sex with men; if his attention has been drawn to the introduction of individual risk-based assessment in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17514/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1122, 1123 and 1195 together.
The remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the recipients and the donors of blood and blood products. The IBTS constantly keeps all deferral policies under review to ensure the ongoing safety of blood and the products derived from it.
The IBTS lifted its lifelong ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood in January 2017, when the deferral policy was reduced to a period of one year following their last sexual encounter with a man.
The IBTS continues to keep this, and all of its deferral policies, under active review in the light of scientific evidence, emerging infections and international experience.
The IBTS advise that a review is underway which examines the risks associated with social behaviours that may result in a deferral from blood donation due to risks of transmission of infectious diseases. The review will consider the 12-month deferral currently in place for men that have sex with men. The option of introducing individual risk-based assessment for blood donors will also be considered as part of the review.
Ophthalmology Services
Questions (1124)
Brian Stanley
Question:1124. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if there is an eye clinic available in Portlaoise, County Laois; and if so, the location of the service. [17306/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (1125)
John McGuinness
Question:1125. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the type of health services being delivered at St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; his plans for the future development of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17310/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ophthalmology Services
Questions (1126)
Brian Stanley
Question:1126. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if there is a paediatric eye clinic in Portlaoise at the moment; and if so, the location it is operating from. [17311/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Charges
Questions (1127)
Mark Ward
Question:1127. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost the HSE pays for debt collection services for non or late payments of hospital fees; the amount of debt collected in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17312/21]
View answerWritten answers
Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- Daily in-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (1128)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:1128. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to deal with the backlog of primary medical certificates due to application progression only recommencing recently due to recent High Court action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17318/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme.
The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D.. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.
The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately there are delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response, which I know are causing undue strain on applicants.
I recently met with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments. The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1129)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1129. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason the over 70 age group in one part of County Donegal is being vaccinated before the over 80 age group in another area of the county has been completed; if the countrywide roll-out will be done at different stages in different counties or local areas depending on the availability of the vaccinations in that county or local area; if there will be a concerted effort to ensure the vaccination roll-out will be carried out evenly nationwide with one group being finished before the next group commences; if vaccination teams will be mobilised and sent to areas which fall behind for a verity of reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17322/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1130)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a dietician will be appointed to the Maynooth community care unit which currently does not have a dietician on either a part-time or full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17324/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (1131)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1131. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17325/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme.
The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D.. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.
The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately there are delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response, which I know are causing undue strain on applicants.
I recently met with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments. The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
Home Care Packages
Questions (1132)
John McGuinness
Question:1132. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if homecare will be provided at weekends for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17326/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1133)
Réada Cronin
Question:1133. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason the community care unit in Maynooth, County Kildare is without a full-time or part-time dietician (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17327/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1134)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to provide Covid-19 vaccines for all attendees and staff at a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17332/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1135)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the mental health crisis house in Clonmel, County Tipperary, which was due to go to tender in quarter 1 of 2021; when the tender process is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17333/21]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1136)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in all public hospitals; the length of time waiting in each hospital; if a record is being kept or will be kept of the number of bowel cancer and other serious illnesses picked up following the resumption of colonoscopies; if such figures will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of the deferral of elective scheduled care activity in March, April and May of 2020, and since 2nd January 2021. This impact has been witnessed across all waiting list categories, including G.I. Endoscopy.
G.I. Endoscopy services were heavily affected during the first surge of COVID-19. In 2020 the scheduled care waiting list for GI Scopes grew by 46% (+10,295) to 32,539. In early 2021, due to the further curtailment of scheduled care, G.I. Scope waiting lists increased by a further 13% to 36,820 by the end of February 2021.
The HSE continues to work to improve access, particularly to urgent colonoscopy services. The HSE’s National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Operations has recommended that, where possible, endoscopy services be maintained in the current surge. This may involve relocation of the service to designated non-COVID sites to preserve throughput or to private providers, if available.
In addition, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is working closely with individual hospitals to improve access to endoscopy/colonoscopy services for waiting list patients, including through the outsourcing of G.I. Scopes treatment to Private Hospitals where capacity is available. In 2020 the NTPF arranged 7,399 scopes for patients. The NTPF continues to commission treatment for patients and plans to double the number of scopes it arranges in 2021.
The table, provided by the NTPF, shows the number of patients awaiting a colonoscopy at each public hospital, by time band at the end of February 2021.
In relation to the specific query raised regarding records of bowel cancer and other serious illnesses diagnosed as a result of colonoscopies, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1137)
Mark Ward
Question:1137. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to allow persons who have a history of thrombus a choice in which Covid-19 vaccine they are offered. [17336/21]
View answerWritten answers
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), through its safety committee, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), initiated an urgent review of all blood clotting events occurring with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to determine if there is a possible safety risk. As a member of PRAC, the Health Product Regulatory Agency (HPRA) is involved in the review of all cases of thromboembolic events, and other conditions related to blood clots, reported post-vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine.
EMA’s safety committee PRAC, concluded its preliminary review of a signal of blood clots in people vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca at its extraordinary meeting of 18 March 2021. The Committee confirmed that:
- the benefits of the vaccine in combating the still widespread threat of COVID-19 (which itself results in clotting problems and may be fatal) continue to outweigh the risk of side effects;
- the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk of blood clots (thromboembolic events) in those who receive it;
- there is no evidence of a problem related to specific batches of the vaccine or to particular manufacturing sites;
- however, the vaccine may be associated with very rare cases of blood clots associated with thrombocytopenia, i.e. low levels of blood platelets (elements in the blood that help it to clot) with or without bleeding, including rare cases of clots in the vessels draining blood from the brain (CVST).
The EMA statement stresses these are very rare events. Around 20 million people in the UK and EEA had received the vaccine by 16 March 2021. The EMA had received reports of only 7 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and 18 cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST). A causal link with the vaccine is not proven. However, because of the rarity of these events a possible association cannot be excluded and deserves further analysis.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) have convened and reviewed the European Medicines Agency (EMA) statement in relation to the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
Firstly NIAC acknowledges the vaccine’s proven efficacy in preventing hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 outweighs the extremely small possibility of developing rare clotting events and recommends that the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca® administration should be recommenced for use in all those aged 18 and over.
However, in light of the reports of these rare events of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and cases of CVST, NIAC recommends that patients and healthcare providers should be aware of the remote possibility of such syndromes, and if symptoms suggestive of clotting problems occur patients should seek immediate medical attention and inform healthcare professionals of their recent vaccination.
Healthcare professionals and vaccine recipients should be informed that very rare, complicated thromboembolic events have been reported in a small number of people who have recently received COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
In addition, NIAC advises that patients need to be alerted to the signs and symptoms that may occur related to these rare events and to this end recommends:
Recipients of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca® should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling and/or persistent abdominal pain within weeks of vaccination. Additionally, anyone with neurological symptoms including severe or persistent headaches (particularly 3 or more days after vaccination) or blurred vision, or who develop petechiae or ecchymoses beyond the site of vaccination, should seek prompt medical attention. These rare events have usually occurred within 14 days of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca®.
In addition, NIAC recommends that healthcare professionals need to be cognisant of these rare events and report to the Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA):
Healthcare professionals should be alert to the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism and/or thrombocytopenia and report any suspected adverse reactions to the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
That a specialist care pathway is established to treat any such cases should these arise.
Healthcare professionals should seek early expert advice from the National Coagulation Centre about the specialised testing and treatment options for patients presenting with thromboembolic events that are associated with thrombocytopenia, (including Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) or Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)) occurring within weeks following vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca®.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1138)
Robert Troy
Question:1138. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if persons over 70 years of age that have received the full vaccination can return to work immediately if their position is still in place. [17339/21]
View answerWritten answers
On 30th March, the Government update its advice for those who are fully vaccinated. Those aged over 70 years and over and others at increased risk of severe illness should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home. But in general, the guidance for these cohorts is now aligned with that for the general population, including for activities such as using public transport and shopping. It is advised that anyone in this cohort should speak to their employer if they wish to return to work. It is important to emphasis that the current guidance remains that everyone should continue to work from home if they can do so and this also applies to those that are fully vaccinated. As the Deputy will be aware, fully vaccinated asymptomatic people are now also being advised that they can visit other fully vaccinated asymptomatic people in a household setting without wearing masks or physical distancing. If either person has any symptoms of COVID-19, visiting should not take place.
The HPSC is now reviewing its guidance for those most vulnerable to the severe impacts of COVID-19 that have been fully vaccinated. This guidance will be available on the HPSC website shortly (https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/peopleatincreasedriskofsevereillness/othersatincreasedriskofsevereillness/ )
The HSE is also reviewing relevant policy and guidance for healthcare workers who are fully vaccinated including with regard to return to work for those who are medically vulnerable and who have been cocooning.
It is important to note that full protection is not in place if it has been less than 2 weeks since the second vaccine dose.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1139)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he plans to change the policy on amending the return to work of staff members (details supplied) that are classed as highly vulnerable in cases in which they have been fully vaccinated and are willing to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17343/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Questions (1140)
Mark Ward
Question:1140. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the financial supports or other supports available for cancer survivors to avail of IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17345/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.