Written Answers Nos. 1687-1704
1687. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons invited to take part in CervicalCheck in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of persons screened through CervicalCheck in each of the same years in tabular form. [18666/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1688. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting to receive a Covid-19 vaccine; the reason they have not been prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine given their underlying health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18673/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1689. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce non-routine dental benefit for medical card holders that are also on a disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18674/21]
View answerDental services for adult medical card holders are provided under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) by independent dentists who have a contract with the HSE. Services currently available annually, without prior approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon, include an examination, two fillings and emergency extractions. Other more complex care is also provided, some of which requires prior approval of a Principal Dental Surgeon.
Patients with special needs and high-risk patients can avail of a broader range of treatments, including a scale and polish, additional fillings and protracted periodontal (gum) treatment on approval of a Principal Dental Surgeon.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, published in April 2019, sets out the new model of care delivery for dental services. It includes proposals for the introduction of packages of oral healthcare for adult medical card holders at different intervals during their life course. HSE community oral healthcare services will provide services to vulnerable people referred from their local dentist for episodic care. However, in some cases – such as for people with moderate to profound disabilities – services may be provided long term by community oral healthcare services. The timeframe for the delivery of the Policy is until 2026.
1690. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths in nursing homes in December, January and February of each year from 2017 to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18679/21]
View answerThe Chief Inspector for Social Services, HIQA, is the national independent regulator of nursing homes.
Under Section 31 (2) of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 415/213) Nursing Home providers are required to notify the Chief Inspector of the unexpected death of any resident within 72 hours of that death occurring. The table below set out the number of ‘unexpected deaths’ notified to the Chief Inspector for the specified time periods.
|
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
|
|
Dec |
56 |
55 |
71 |
106 |
|
Jan |
100 |
74 |
90 |
527 |
|
Feb |
65 |
43 |
61 |
433 |
|
Total Deaths |
220 |
188 |
257 |
960 |
Providers are also required to notify the Chief Inspector of the number of ‘expected deaths’ which occurred in their nursing home at the end of each quarter.
|
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
|
|
Dec |
600 |
778 |
559 |
|
Jan |
682 |
704 |
N/A |
|
Feb |
601 |
620 |
N/A |
|
Total Deaths |
1883 |
2102 |
HIQA has advised my Department that two caveats apply to the data in table 2. They do not include those notifications submitted via post and providers have until the end of this month to submit notifications for expected deaths in January, February and March for the first quarter of 2021. As such, this information is not yet available.
HIQA has further advised my Department that prior to 2018 information on ‘expected deaths’ was not received or stored in a format germane to an answer in tabular form.
1691. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a query (details supplied) in relation to named medications being provided through the drugs payment scheme will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/21]
View answer2093. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if medications (details supplied) can be used for the treatment of miscarriages caused by immune issues under the drug payment scheme; if not, the available alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19803/21]
View answer2146. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the use of autoimmune drugs such as humira, neupogen and IVIG approved on the drugs payment scheme for the treatment of miscarriages caused by autoimmune issues in view of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/21]
View answer2150. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding access to a medication under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19984/21]
View answer2230. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if medications including humira, neupogen and IVIG, which are currently available for certain autoimmune conditions, will be approved on the drug payment scheme for the treatment of miscarriage arising from immune issues. [20202/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1691, 2093, 2146, 2150 and 2230 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1692. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to develop a Traveller and Roma mental health action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18685/21]
View answerThe national mental health policy, ‘Sharing the Vision’, makes a series of recommendations that will improve mental health outcomes for the whole community, including the Traveller and Roma community. ‘Sharing the Vision’ recognises the particular issues faced by different priority groups with respect to mental health and the policy will address these by implementing recommendations that are designed to individualise services to the needs of the user by taking account of his or her unique socio-economic and cultural background.
One of the priority groups specifically mentioned in “Sharing the Vision” is the Traveller community. It is envisaged that Traveller and Roma representation will engage in a significant way with Sharing the Vision’s National Implementation and Monitoring Committee to ensure that the implementation of ‘Sharing the Vision’ will maximise beneficial outcomes for Travellers and Roma.
Government policy strategy for improving the lives of Traveller and Roma communities is outlined in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The strategy is a cross-departmental initiative and contains a set of specific actions aimed at improving the situation for Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. The Strategy includes 10 actions relating to mental health and suicide among Travellers. There is also an action under NTRIS to implement a detailed action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach.
It is envisaged that the mental health actions in NTRIS will be incorporated in the Traveller health action plan and will be aligned with the overall approach in Sharing the Vision. This will allow for an integrated and coordinated response to the specific health needs of Travellers, as outlined in NTRIS.
I will continue to engage with my colleague Minister of State Butler, who is response for mental health, to ensure there is an holistic response to the health needs of Travellers and Roma.
1693. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to implement a national Traveller health action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18686/21]
View answerThe National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is the Government policy framework for addressing the health and other needs of Travellers. It contains over 30 health-related actions across four themes. The Dept of Health and the HSE are represented on the steering committee for NTRIS and report on a regular basis on the various health actions.
A key health action in NTRIS (#73) is to develop and implement a detailed action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach. The lead role in developing the action plan rests with the HSE, in conjunction with Traveller organisations.
The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to implement a National Traveller Health Action plan.
Last year, the HSE established a steering committee to finalise the plan, including representatives of Traveller organisations. I understand that the committee has recently submitted a draft plan to the HSE national director for community strategy and planning. I understand that consideration of the plan and its resource implications has been delayed by the prioritisation of the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
I look forward to receiving the agreed action plan and I am fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to ensure the implementation of the plan by the HSE.
1694. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to implementing Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18687/21]
View answerSharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
A whole-of-government National Implementation Monitoring Committee (NIMC) was established in December 2020 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the Policy and to monitor progress. The NIMC is made up of the NIMC Steering Committee, which will be supported by an NIMC Reference Group of Service Users and Families and NIMC Specialist Groups.
The NIMC Steering Committee, independently chaired by Mr John Saunders, is driving the implementation of Sharing the Vision and will ensure appropriate monitoring and oversight processes are put in place. To date, the NIMC Steering Committee has held four monthly business meetings. The next business meeting is scheduled for 14 May 2021. The approved minutes of Steering Committee meetings are available on the Department of Health website. In March, the Steering Committee met over two days, on 11 and 12 March 2021, examine, in some detail, its role and function.
In these early stages, the Steering Committee is focusing on developing and establishing the structures and processes crucial to a full and successful implementation of the new Policy.
The Steering Committee is seeking to progress the formation of specialist groups for specific areas of work. As part of this, the Steering Committee has recently finalised a Process Document, which will formalise the mechanisms by which specialist groups can be established. The Steering Committee will develop priorities to inform the areas in which specialist groups will be formed and the timeframe of formation. It is anticipated that the finalised Process Document and NIMC priorities will enable the NIMC to proceed with the formation of specialist groups in a structured and strategic manner.
Additionally, the Steering Committee is seeking to progress the establishment of the Reference Group of Service Users and Families. To this end, a subgroup of NIMC Steering Committee members has been established to develop an approach.
The HSE has primary responsibility for the implementation of the majority of the Sharing the Vision recommendations, and is establishing the HSE Implementation Group, which will report to the NIMC Steering Committee. One of the first tasks of the Steering Committee, with the HSE Implementation Group, will be to ascertain ongoing Sharing the Vision aligned tasks and projects.
An implementation monitoring approach to the non-HSE Sharing the Vision recommendations is currently being progressed by the NIMC Secretariat on behalf of the ,Steering Committee, through interdepartmental and intradepartmental engagement. There is considerable work ongoing across Government that aligns to the recommendations of Sharing the Vision.
I am satisfied that the Committee is progressing well in this initial stage of its work, by building on the following initiatives already underway:
- Many significant recent developments in online mental health service provision and positive mental health promotion have been expedited in response to the ongoing pandemic. These initiatives exemplify the holistic, whole-of-population approach to mental health service development that Sharing the Vision will be promoting and seeking to advance, in parallel with the development of specialist supports.
- Sharing the Vision recommends the continued phased implementation and evaluation of existing national clinical programmes in mental health, including Dual Diagnosis, Early Intervention in Psychosis, and Eating Disorders. The clinical programmes, which are in various stages of design and implementation, are at the heart of service improvement. They provide clear pathways to ensure strategic, standardised and evidence-based delivery of services and better outcomes for service users and their families.
- Sharing the Vision additionally recommends that, in keeping with the evolving understanding of human rights to empower people and improve quality of care in mental healthcare facilities, legislation must be updated and additional supports put in place. This is currently being addressed in the review of the Mental Health Act, 2001, which is undergoing a major overhaul, with draft heads of a new bill expected to be published in the very near future.
Finally, I am pleased to have secured an additional €50 million for mental health services in 2021, bringing the annual budget to in excess of €1 billion. €23 million of this additional funding is dedicated to commencing implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision, including enhanced resources for community mental health teams, CAMHS hubs/teams, adult crisis resolution services, increased supports in employment, peer support workers, bereavement co-ordination, and dialectical behaviour therapy,
Work is progressing in these areas, including the recruitment of the 153 new mental health staff this year.
1695. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to expanding jigsaw services and their network of early intervention and prevention services and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18688/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1696. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to expanding the national roll-out of the model care for specialist perinatal mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18689/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1697. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine has reverted back to 18+ year olds for the vulnerable at risk category (details supplied). [18696/21]
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.
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.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most; facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country; improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1698. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if it is mandatory for student nurses and medical students on placements and all HSE healthcare staff including fully qualified nurses, doctors and consultants to receive a Covid-19 vaccine; the basis on which such a condition can be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18700/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1699. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there are no dossiers held by his Department and or any other State bodies on a family (details supplied) in County Meath, whose children have been adversely impacted by epilum sodium valproate given reports in the media in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18706/21]
View answer2234. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if dossiers are held on persons (details supplied) historically or otherwise by his Department; if so, if these are related to the recent allegations in relation to dossiers held by his Department on children with autism who were involved in legal actions against the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20228/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1699 and 2234 together.
It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on individual patients or families in this context. An individual can request a copy of their personal data, if any, processed by my Department by contacting the Department and making a Subject Access Request. Further information is available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/381552-protecting-personal-data-health/.
1700. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if a care plan will be expedited; if they can remain in a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/21]
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.
1701. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who cannot social distance should be treated the same as a person without a disability in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/21]
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.
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.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:• protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;• facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;• improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/ .
1702. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons invited to take part in BreastCheck in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of persons screened through BreastCheck in each of the same years in tabular form. [18711/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1703. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason some physical examinations for a scheme (details supplied) cannot take place. [18720/21]
View answer1704. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the impact of the loss of the physical examination for a scheme (details supplied), the hardship that is being caused to the applicants and the backlog that will arise from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1703 and 1704 together.
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 again with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments. The HSE has confirmed that the assessment process has recommenced and 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.
