Written Answers Nos. 931-950
931. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of cryotherapy machines in each public and voluntary hospital; and the number of persons waiting for appointments to use these machines in each hospital in tabular form. [21419/21]
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.
932. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the 12 additional isolation beds at Naas General Hospital; when this project will commence; and the estimated timeframe for completion. [21420/21]
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.
933. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times to see a consultant paediatric vascular surgeon at CHI Crumlin. [21421/21]
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.
Elective hospital care was curtailed for the first quarter of 2021, in line with the rapid increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions, with only critical time dependent elective procedures undertaken.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach 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.
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 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 access to care, €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.
With regard to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has advised my Department that under the Children’s Health Act 2018, which came into effect on 1st January 2019, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) was established, and all assets, liabilities and records were transferred from Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght University Hospital to the new body. From 1st January 2019 all NTPF reports reflect this change, and as a result data from the three sites of Children’s Health Ireland are reported as one entity.
Furthermore, on the 31st of July 2019 Children's Health Ireland opened a new Paediatric Outpatient Department and Urgent Care Centre at CHI Connolly in Blanchardstown. The waiting lists associated with this site are incorporated into the Children's Health Ireland figures.
In relation to the average waiting times to see a consultant paediatric vascular surgeon at CHI, the NTPF has advised that they do not receive Outpatient Waiting List data in respect of vascular surgery from the CHI hospitals, therefore I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive and asked them to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
934. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of theatres and operational theatres respectively at Tallaght University Hospital in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [21422/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
935. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times to see a consultant paediatric urologist at CHI Temple Street. [21423/21]
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.
Elective hospital care was curtailed for the first quarter of 2021, in line with the rapid increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions, with only critical time dependent elective procedures undertaken.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach 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.
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 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 access to care, €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.
With regard to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has advised my Department that under the Children’s Health Act 2018, which came into effect on 1st January 2019, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) was established, and all assets, liabilities and records were transferred from Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght University Hospital to the new body. From 1st January 2019 all NTPF reports reflect this change, and as a result data from the three sites of Children’s Health Ireland are reported as one entity.
Furthermore, on the 31st of July 2019 Children's Health Ireland opened a new Paediatric Outpatient Department and Urgent Care Centre at CHI Connolly in Blanchardstown. The waiting lists associated with this site are incorporated into the Children's Health Ireland figures.
In relation to the average waiting times to see a consultant paediatric urologist at CHI, the NTPF has advised my Department that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided in the attached table. The table also provides a breakdown of the CHI Urology Outpatient waiting lists by time-band.
CHI Outpatient Urology Waiting List as at 2525/03/2021
|
0-3Months |
3-6Months |
6-9Months |
9-12Months |
12-15Months |
15-18Months |
18+Months |
Grand Total |
Mean Num Days: |
Median Num Days: |
||
|
Children's Health Ireland |
|||||||||||
|
Total Current |
201 |
166 |
125 |
64 |
147 |
94 |
271 |
1068 |
388 |
333.5 |
|
936. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their vaccine against Covid-19; the reason for the delay in this vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21439/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
937. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the lack of access to an assessment of social care support needs for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21450/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
938. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if this practice of requiring training in the absence of a job offer is in line with the policy of his Department and the HSE; the reason agencies hiring on behalf of the HSE for vaccinator roles are requiring vaccinator training of candidates who have been successful in their application but without offering them a job or renumeration for this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
939. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the status of the actions and targets of the Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021; if the subsequent action plan will be clarified; if he will consider the recommendations set out in a report by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21458/21]
View answerBreastfeeding is a priority for my Department and Minister Feighan Is meeting with the Bainne Beatha Group on the 5th May to address their concerns.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan 2016-2021 is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland and the HSE has established the National Breastfeeding Implementation Group to progress a range of actions to:
- improve governance and health service structures,
- develop new breastfeeding training programmes,
- develop evidenced based policies and practices
- communicate the importance of breastfeeding through social marketing, support and advocacy and •monitor and evaluate breastfeeding services.
The National Breastfeeding Implementation Group is partnering with key divisions to provide the supports that mothers require at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of some actions, the HSE will extend the implementation of the Breastfeeding Action Plan into 2022 and continue to work on priority outstanding actions.
940. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21476/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
942. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if priority will be given to parents of children and adults with intellectual disabilities in terms of the vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21479/21]
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:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
Vaccination of Group 4 began in March and vaccine registration for Groups 5 and 6 began on the 15th of April.
In relation to family carers, it is important to emphasise that:
(a) carers who are healthcare workers are at a very high or high risk of exposure to the virus. In the first wave of the pandemic, over 30% cases were in healthcare workers. Whereas, family carers operate in a completely different and more controlled environment and do not have the same risk of exposure to the virus;
(b) family carers can minimise their contacts, employ physical distancing, hand washing, respiratory and cough etiquette and, hence, minimise their risk of infection and, thereby, the risk of transmitting infection to a vulnerable person;
(c) there is emerging evidence that is encouraging regarding the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to impact viral transmission. However, there is insufficient evidence at the current time to justify a change from the current strategy of prioritising those at increased risk of severe disease and/or death as a consequence of COVID-19, to one aimed at reducing transmission.
943. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the services available to a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to services for a person over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21480/21]
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.
944. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the oculist service for the provision of prosthetic eyes for young persons will be available again particularly in relation to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21483/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
946. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the policy of his Department and the timelines with respect to the reopening of day care centres and such facilities for older persons who have been fully vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21499/21]
View answerIt has been a key priority for the HSE to ensure that the focus on resuming Day Care Services for Older People can occur as soon as it is safe to do so. It is acknowledged that the Day Care Services provided across the country are a fundamental support structure for older people. Day Care Services have been closed since March 2020. The HSE has advised the Department that additional supports including home support, meals on wheels, telephone support, additional public health nursing, virtual activities etc. have been provided for most vulnerable clients during this period. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association of Ireland have been providing ‘Day Care in the Home’ across the country for clients with Dementia.
Since November 2020, a Day Care Focus Group Office has been in place with representation from across the HSE and voluntary organisations to put in place a plan for the reopening of Day Care Services for Older People in line with the COVID roadmap. The Group has met on 6 occasions with the focus on putting in place guidance and plans for the resumption of Day Care Services, as soon as possible. The group was originally concentrating on what services could be delivered under current guidance and in line with the current COVID Roadmap and have now extended their approach based on the COVID vaccination programme and the impact this can provide on how services can re-open.
As a result of the vaccination programme currently being rolled out to persons over 70 years of age, further guidance has been sought from Public Health in relation to the provision of Day Care Services and how these can be operated safely and in line with the measures in place to ease restrictions over the next few months.
Day Care Service been also been asked to assess what can currently be delivered and the requirements to be met to reopen. A sub-group has also been established to develop an individualised Risk Assessment that can be carried out in respect of clients returning to the services. It will not be feasible at present under Level 5 restrictions and current guidance in place to deliver a service in a congregated setting but plans will be put in place in conjunction with Public Health advice by each service in relation to the resumption of services so that Day Care Services can resume as soon as it is considered safe to provide the service.
Areas to be focused on will include:-
- Safe transport
- Protection of carers who have not been vaccinated and the impact of this.
- Identification of clients who are safe to return to Day Care Services.
- Supports for clients who will not be in a position to return to Day Care Services.
The HSE has reassured the Department that it will continue to focus on the re-opening of Day Care Services as a priority and the Focus Group in place will continue to drive a plan to resume these services as soon as possible. The Focus Group are due to meet again on 28th April 2021 and the HSE work will continue to work with services to ensure that as many services as possible can re-open as soon as it is safe to operate within a congregated setting.
It is a priority for me as Minister with special responsibility for older people for day services to resume as soon as possible and I continue to engage with senior officials within the Department and HSE on this very important matter.
948. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the work that has been undertaken in relation to non-EMA approved vaccines and the impact receiving these vaccines may have on Irish citizens returning from abroad. [21503/21]
View answerCOVID-19 Vaccines are only used used after Market authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is obtained and any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The awarding of a CMA provides a high level of assurance that a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has met the requirements of the independent regulatory process as regards demonstrating its safety and efficacy.
People who are fully vaccinated are people who have been vaccinated with one of the EMA approved vaccines after the following time periods:
- 7 days after a second dose of pFizer Biontech Comirnity,
-14 days after a second dose of Moderna,
-15 days after second dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
- or 14 days after single dose of Janssen.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance. Please note that the four EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated, this information can be found on gov.ie/quarantine.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.
949. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant community effort to secure funding for a life-saving treatment for a person (details supplied); if his Department will fund their treatment or fund the remainder of the amount needed to access the treatment their doctor has recommended; the options for funding of the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21505/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases. Decisions on whether or not to prescribe any treatment for a patient is strictly a matter for the treating clinician, in consultation with the patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
In regard to patients travelling to other countries for treatment, the HSE currently operates two schemes that facilitate patients accessing treatment abroad:
The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) allows public patients to be referred to another EU/EEA country for treatment that is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. A patient's Irish based consultant is responsible for referring the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS.
Also, under the Cross Border Directive (CBD) patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland, again subject to qualifying criteria.
950. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the position of persons aged 60 to 64 years of age who are in group 4 on the vaccine schedule; and his plans to resolve a lacuna in the vaccine roll-out as it stands (details supplied). [21508/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
