Written Answers Nos. 1857-1875
1857. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if persons aged 16 with underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis that are hesitant to return to the classroom due to the infection risk but do not qualify for category 4 of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out will be considered eligible for vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19166/21]
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/.
1858. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if tourist visits with the purpose of family reunification will be considered as essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/21]
View answerThe Government is applying more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission domestically.
While the Government advises against non-essential international travel, there is no particular prohibition on travel to Ireland.
However anyone who arrives to the State having been overseas, with very limited exemptions, is required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative / non-detected pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory quarantine.
1859. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a diagnostic scan less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19170/21]
View answerThe HSE advises that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise
The NTPF has advised my Department that they do not currently record the personal data of any of the patients on the Diagnostics waiting list as the purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MR and US. This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting lists- local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.
For this reason, the NTPF are not able to identify whether patients on the Diagnostics waiting list are over or under 18 years of age.
1860. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19171/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1861. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19172/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1862. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19173/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1863. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a dietetic appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1864. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19175/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1865. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for speech and language therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19176/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1866. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for occupational therapy less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months by LHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19177/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1867. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the inpatient day case active waiting list less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months by hospital group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19178/21]
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.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased plan for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.
Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first.
Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.
The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.
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 (NTPF). This includes 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 number of children under 18 years of age on the inpatient/day case active waiting list, the NTPF has provided the information requested in the table attached. The NTPF has further advised that within the Public Health System, children are generally classified as those under the age of 16, while the figures in the attached tables also include patients between 16 and 18 years of age, to reflect patients who were under 18 at the end of March 2021 according to the Date of Birth received from the relevant hospital.
IPDC Waiting List for Children Under 18 by Hospital Group and Specialty as of 25/3/2021
|
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12+ Months |
Small Volume TimeBands |
Grand Total |
|
|
Children's Health Ireland |
2802 |
1197 |
2301 |
41 |
6341 |
|
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery |
69 |
10 |
79 |
||
|
Clinical Immunology |
89 |
25 |
45 |
159 |
|
|
Dental Surgery |
80 |
37 |
141 |
258 |
|
|
Immunology |
42 |
16 |
37 |
95 |
|
|
Maxillo-Facial |
9 |
6 |
15 |
30 |
|
|
Neonatology |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Ophthalmology |
200 |
71 |
141 |
412 |
|
|
Paed Cardiology |
137 |
53 |
45 |
235 |
|
|
Paed Endocrinology |
17 |
12 |
16 |
45 |
|
|
Paed Gastro-Enterol |
287 |
97 |
151 |
535 |
|
|
Paed Metabolic Medicine |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
Paed Nephrology |
6 |
5 |
11 |
||
|
Paed Orthopaedic |
474 |
178 |
522 |
1174 |
|
|
Paediatric Dermatology |
46 |
9 |
9 |
64 |
|
|
Paediatric ENT |
289 |
151 |
252 |
692 |
|
|
Paediatric Infectious Diseases |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Paediatric Neurology |
6 |
9 |
15 |
||
|
Paediatric Neurosurgery |
30 |
9 |
6 |
45 |
|
|
Paediatric Radiology |
13 |
8 |
21 |
42 |
|
|
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine |
307 |
294 |
497 |
1098 |
|
|
Paediatric Surgery |
371 |
80 |
84 |
535 |
|
|
Paediatric Urology |
182 |
79 |
149 |
410 |
|
|
Paediatrics |
18 |
19 |
27 |
64 |
|
|
Plastic Surgery |
131 |
43 |
72 |
246 |
|
|
Rheumatology |
5 |
56 |
61 |
||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
18 |
18 |
|||
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
187 |
19 |
11 |
28 |
245 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
8 |
6 |
14 |
||
|
General Surgery |
42 |
7 |
49 |
||
|
Maxillo-Facial |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Orthopaedics |
14 |
14 |
|||
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
118 |
6 |
6 |
130 |
|
|
Plastic Surgery |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
28 |
28 |
|||
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
270 |
53 |
113 |
22 |
458 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
General Medicine |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
General Surgery |
71 |
10 |
8 |
89 |
|
|
Ophthalmology |
34 |
14 |
42 |
90 |
|
|
Orthopaedics |
119 |
18 |
47 |
184 |
|
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
24 |
11 |
16 |
51 |
|
|
Paediatrics |
6 |
5 |
11 |
||
|
Plastic Surgery |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
12 |
12 |
|||
|
Urology |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
RCSI Hospitals Group |
170 |
61 |
89 |
21 |
341 |
|
Clinical Immunology |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
Gastro-Enterology |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
General Surgery |
65 |
27 |
53 |
145 |
|
|
Neurosurgery |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
30 |
20 |
36 |
86 |
|
|
Paediatric ENT |
59 |
14 |
73 |
||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
14 |
14 |
|||
|
Urology |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
366 |
150 |
349 |
29 |
894 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
General Medicine |
7 |
7 |
14 |
||
|
General Surgery |
90 |
29 |
30 |
149 |
|
|
Gynaecology |
8 |
8 |
|||
|
Ophthalmology |
23 |
17 |
48 |
88 |
|
|
Oral Surgery |
22 |
8 |
16 |
46 |
|
|
Orthopaedics |
27 |
24 |
37 |
88 |
|
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
108 |
23 |
73 |
204 |
|
|
Plastic Surgery |
42 |
22 |
64 |
128 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
15 |
15 |
|||
|
Urology |
47 |
27 |
74 |
148 |
|
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
488 |
118 |
183 |
29 |
818 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
9 |
9 |
|||
|
General Surgery |
90 |
12 |
15 |
117 |
|
|
Ophthalmology |
51 |
8 |
57 |
116 |
|
|
Orthopaedics |
42 |
9 |
12 |
63 |
|
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
151 |
45 |
52 |
248 |
|
|
Paediatric Neurology |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
Paediatrics |
24 |
24 |
|||
|
Plastic Surgery |
40 |
15 |
13 |
68 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
14 |
14 |
|||
|
Urology |
90 |
29 |
34 |
153 |
|
|
University of Limerick Hospital Group |
112 |
40 |
214 |
29 |
395 |
|
Dental Surgery |
20 |
20 |
|||
|
Gastro-Enterology |
5 |
6 |
11 |
||
|
General Surgery |
13 |
18 |
31 |
||
|
Maxillo-Facial |
20 |
6 |
48 |
74 |
|
|
Ophthalmology |
5 |
5 |
11 |
21 |
|
|
Orthopaedics |
5 |
5 |
10 |
||
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
34 |
7 |
54 |
95 |
|
|
Paediatrics |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
23 |
23 |
|||
|
Urology |
28 |
17 |
58 |
103 |
|
|
Grand Total |
4395 |
1638 |
3260 |
199 |
9492 |
1868. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the heads of maternity hospitals on lifting restrictions for birthing partners. [19180/21]
View answer1893. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he has met with maternity hospitals recently regarding restrictions on partners; when his next expected engagement with the hospitals will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19256/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1868 and 1893 together.
My Department is engaging regularly with the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme in relation to COVID-19 related issues in maternity services. The Programme, which was established to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services across primary, community and acute care, is working with the Clinical Leads for Maternity/Women’s Health and Directors of Midwifery in each of the six Hospital Groups on COVID-19 related issues.
The Deputy will appreciate that there is a need to ensure that the safety of women, babies, hospital staff and the public is protected as much as is possible. Maternity services are a core, essential service and the focus must be to ensure that we can continue to provide 24/7 care in a safe manner.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued guidance regarding attendance at hospitals during the pandemic, which includes attendance at maternity hospitals. The guidance advises that restrictions on partner visiting; accompanying persons in labour; or parents visiting neonatal intensive care units, should be based on a documented risk assessment that is regularly reviewed. All maternity sites are currently reviewing their visiting restrictions on a weekly basis, with some undertaking reviews daily.
The National Women’s & Infants Health Programme has advised that as the situation regarding community transmission continues to improve, and as the immunisation of frontline workers begins to take effect, the Programme will engage with the clinical leads in each maternity network to support the phased relaxation of restrictions and provide advice on any areas of particular challenge.
1869. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if there are training schemes available to general practitioners regarding the care of transgender patients especially following gender confirmation surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19183/21]
View answerThe HSE National Gender Service provides specialist support to people who are seeking medical or surgical interventions to help them affirm their gender. The National Gender Service operates over two sites: St Columcille’s Hospital and St John of God Community Services.
Given the complexity of needs in many of the people who present to the Service, a specialised multidisciplinary team (MDT) is needed to deliver effective, safe, individualised care. The National Gender Service delivers this care via a Model of Care that incorporates a holistic individualised MDT assessment, support pathways, and gender affirming interventions.
The “National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021” is the Government’s policy promoting inclusion, targeting discrimination, and improving the quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTI+ community in Ireland. Health is one of the main themes of the Strategy, and the Department of Health, the HSE and other partners work together to implement key actions for inclusion in this important Strategy. One of the outcomes to be achieved in this area is that healthcare providers and practitioners are trained to understand the identities and needs of their LGBTI+ patients.
The Irish College General Practitioners (ICGP) is the professional body for general practice in Ireland and is responsible for post graduate specialist medical education, training and research in the specialty of general practice.
The provision of comprehensive continuing personalised care for all, and the central role of the ICGP in supporting GPs to deliver this care is a priority. The ICGP core values foster high quality evidence-based care. This is supported by appropriate continuous medical education to help GPs deliver complex and comprehensive care to all.
The ICGP provides the following training for general practitioners in relation to the care of transgender patients:
- Transgender care is included in the curriculum for GP trainees.
- A Quick Reference Guide for GPs entitled “Guide for providing care for transgender patients in primary care” was published in January 2021. This guide includes information on post-surgery care for transgender patients and is available to all ICGP members.
- An ICGP live and interactive webinar on the topic of transgender health, available to all GPs including GP trainees, is scheduled for late June 2021. A recording of the webinar (with appropriate consents) will be made available after the live webinar for those GPs who cannot attend on the date of the webinar or who wish to review and revise their learning.
- Continuing Medical Education small group learning will include an education pack on transgender health later in 2021.
- An article on transgender health and care will be provided in the ICGP Journal Forum later in 2021. This ICGP membership journal is delivered to all ICGP members each month with a readership of approximately 3,500.
The above education and training initiatives complement the partnership for health equity content on caring for members of marginalised groups, including LGB and transgender patients.
1870. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if plans for public treatment facilities for eating disorders have been stalled; the reason for the delay; and if he has plans to get them back on track. [19185/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1871. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the cost of each mass vaccination centre to the Exchequer to date in tabular form; and if each vaccination centre is operating. [19186/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1872. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the current wait times for children on the waiting list for initial speech and language therapy assessments by CHO; the number of children on the waiting list for occupational therapy appointments by CHO; and the average current wait times for same by CHO. [19189/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1874. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the delay in delivery of the National Eating Disorder Treatment Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19199/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1875. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of available beds for inpatient treatment for eating disorders that are available in the public health system; his plans to increase this capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19207/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
