Written Answers Nos. 496-515
496. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting over four months for a scoliosis operation; the number of children waiting over 12 months for a scoliosis operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23237/21]
View answerI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government’s priority is to improve waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties, including Scoliosis.
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.
It is of note that key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as two-metre distancing, have a material impact on the available physical space to deliver all hospital services, including scoliosis procedures, and this has had a significant impact on both available capacity and operational activity levels.
Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic last year, by 31st December 2020 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) had carried out 322 scoliosis procedures, a decrease in activity of 16% compared with 2019.
Children’s Health Ireland has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive. Children’s Health Ireland has advised that they are working with the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh to expand orthopaedic capacity. This is expected to have a positive impact on orthopaedic long waiting patients, including reductions in waiting times for children with scoliosis. CHI is also running additional orthopaedic clinics in City West, using a new active clinical triage model, which is reducing the number of children waiting the longest for appointments.
Representatives of CHI, the Orthopaedic Spinal Team and the Advocacy Groups continue to meet as part of the Co-Design framework on a quarterly basis to work on providing solutions for patients in the spinal service.
In relation to the specific query raised regarding the number of children waiting over four months for a scoliosis operation and the number of children waiting over 12 months for a scoliosis operation, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
497. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system undertaken by his Department in 2019; and if he will consider extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes. [22574/21]
View answerThe review referred to by the Deputy was undertaken by the HSE. Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
498. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the criteria regarding the availability based on age of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system with a view to extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes and based on clinical need not of age. [22575/21]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
499. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if there are proposals to change the method of needs assessment for children with special needs; if so, the reason for the proposed changes; if consultation on the changes has taken place; if his attention has been drawn to the objections of members of the relevant professions to some of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22576/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
500. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists as both inpatients and outpatients for Mayo University Hospital; the average wait time; the number waiting more than one, two, three and four years respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22577/21]
View answer501. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the wait time for outpatient appointments at Mayo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22578/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.
It 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.
The data requested by the Deputy regarding waiting lists at Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, is outlined in the attached document. The NTPF has advised 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 here.
Tables:
|
Galway University Hospital Outpatient Waiting List |
|||||||||||
|
0-3Months |
3-6Months |
6-9Months |
9-12Months |
12-15Months |
15-18Months |
18-21Months |
21-24Months |
24-36Months |
36-48Months |
48+Months |
Grand Total |
|
9180 |
8969 |
6711 |
2998 |
5280 |
4450 |
3792 |
3162 |
6896 |
2597 |
1040 |
55075 |
|
Mayo University Hospital Outpatient Waiting List |
|||||||||||
|
0-3Months |
3-6Months |
6-9Months |
9-12Months |
12-15Months |
15-18Months |
18-21Months |
21-24Months |
24-36Months |
36-48Months |
48+Months |
Grand Total |
|
1806 |
2205 |
1531 |
768 |
1175 |
691 |
599 |
594 |
1689 |
853 |
936 |
12847 |
|
OP Waiters in Mayo University Hospital as of 25/3/2021 |
|||||||||||
|
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
||||||||||
|
Row Labels |
0-12 Months |
12-24 Months |
24-36 Months |
36-48 Months |
48+ Months |
Grand Total |
|||||
|
Mayo University Hospital |
6310 |
3059 |
1689 |
853 |
936 |
12847 |
|||||
|
Grand Total |
6310 |
3059 |
1689 |
853 |
936 |
12847 |
|||||
|
Mean NumDays: |
530 |
||||||||||
|
Median NumDays: |
377 |
||||||||||
502. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list to see a paediatrician in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22579/21]
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.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has provided the attached table which shows the number of children awaiting a first Outpatient appointment with a hospital consultant, who have an area of residence in County Mayo at the end of March 2021.
Children on Outpatient waiting lists with an area of residence in Co. Mayo as at 25.03.2021
|
Sum of Count |
Column Labels |
|||||||
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
Mayo |
323 |
322 |
170 |
81 |
154 |
133 |
802 |
1985 |
|
Grand Total |
323 |
322 |
170 |
81 |
154 |
133 |
802 |
1985 |
503. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an outpatient appointment at Mayo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway in comparison to the same period in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22580/21]
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.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has provided the attached table which shows the number of children awaiting an Outpatient appointment at Galway and Mayo University Hospitals at the end of March 2019 and March 2021.
Children awaiting Outpatient appointments at Mayo and Galway University Hospitals, March 2019 and March 2021
|
Sum of Count |
Column Labels |
|||||||
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
28/03/2019 |
2109 |
1078 |
638 |
618 |
438 |
272 |
988 |
6141 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
1635 |
907 |
532 |
476 |
332 |
202 |
592 |
4676 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
474 |
171 |
106 |
142 |
106 |
70 |
396 |
1465 |
|
25/03/2021 |
1139 |
1184 |
658 |
323 |
593 |
461 |
1821 |
6179 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
924 |
973 |
580 |
277 |
500 |
378 |
1150 |
4782 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
215 |
211 |
78 |
46 |
93 |
83 |
671 |
1397 |
504. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery by county; the average wait time; the number of persons waiting over one, two, three and four years by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22581/21]
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.
In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to improve access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts. Ophthalmology services are provided throughout all hospital groups in the country, with cataract removal one of the key procedures carried out as part of this specialty.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2019. At the end of March 2021 there were 4,226 patients waiting for a cataract procedure compared to 6,268 in March 2019.
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.
The data requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery by county; the average wait time; the number of persons waiting over one, two, three and four years by county, is outlined in the attached document. The NTPF has advised 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 here.
505. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for physiotherapy services by county; the average wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22583/21]
View answer506. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for physiotherapy services by county; the average wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22584/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
507. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22590/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
508. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a Covid-19 home vaccination will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
509. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current 30-month waiting time for disability psychology services in County Wexford; his plans to immediately address the lack of resources in the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
510. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a Covid-19 vaccination appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22603/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address an issue (details supplied) regarding antenatal care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22625/21]
View answerThe Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care, free of charge, to expectant mothers ordinarily resident in Ireland. This combined medical service is provided by a GP who has a contract for the provision of services under the scheme and a hospital obstetrician and includes a schedule of alternating examinations at the GP’s practice and a maternity unit/hospital, as well as two post-natal visits to the GP.
The Maternity and Infant Care Contract between the HSE and GPs providing these services sets out the Schedule of Visits to be provided. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the visits set out under this Schedule, and the Contract stipulates that "the contracting general practitioner will not be entitled to accept any other payment of any fee or remuneration in respect of ante-natal and post-natal care" for the expectant mother.
The majority of GPs in Ireland have contracts with the HSE to provide these services. In order to register for the scheme, the expectant mother’s PPSN is required by their GP. If a patient who is registered believes she has been incorrectly charged for services covered by the scheme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office who will investigate the matter.
512. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans for a community intervention team with a multidisciplinary team in County Meath; his plans for an older person integrated care team in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
513. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting time for homecare packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
514. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a timeline has been provided for the expansion of attendance at addiction recovery group meetings. [22654/21]
View answer515. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will seek public health advice on the expansion of attendance at addiction recovery group meetings given the significant impact Covid-19 has had on addiction. [22655/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact in Ireland and globally. Progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, the Irish people have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.
The restrictions on social interaction, the requirement for self-isolation and the restructuring of services, can be particularly difficult for people who use drugs or are dependent on alcohol.
The Department of Health is committed to the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services, including community-based services, residential programmes and recovery support groups.
The Department has developed guidance for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in recognition of their important role in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use. The guidance applies at all levels of the national framework for living with Covid-19.
The guidance on facilities and attendance at support groups and programmes is as follows:
- Facilities used to host groups and programmes should not be shared with other users, where possible.
- There should be separate entry and exit points, management of queues to avoid congestion and thorough cleaning of rooms and toilets before and after use.
- Facilities should be airy and well ventilated.
- The maximum number of participants is 15 people (including leaders). The specific number should be determined by the capacity of the venue to ensure 2 metres social distance and should be adjusted accordingly in smaller venues.
- At high levels of transmission, it is recommended that the number of participants is reduced.
- Face coverings should be worn indoors at all times.
- Support groups and programmes should have a maximum duration of 90 minutes and should be shortened when the risk of transmission is high.
- Leaders or participants should only attend one group or programme.
- People in residential treatment settings should not attend external support groups at this time.
Recently, the Government decided to move ahead with the Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead plan. We are now in the early stages of the Recovery phase of the pandemic. The National Vaccination Programme is well advanced and thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Irish people, there has been a marked improvement in the status of the virus in the community.
The decision is based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), that a cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June, with an emphasis on outdoor activity and a moderate increase in social contact, can be considered low to medium risk. NPHET has advised that there is scope to ease a range of public health measures in this manner with sufficient time between any easing of measures to assess the impact.
This allows us to continue through the Recovery phase, focusing on what is safest and generates the most benefit and with a focus on outdoors activities – both social and economic. Think safe, think outdoors – this must be our theme for the Summer of 2021.
I welcome the reopening of society from May onwards. However, indoor events remain higher risk. I would advise support groups to continue to proceed with caution in line with the latest guidance. A review of the guidance can take place when restrictions on indoor events are lifted in due course.
