Written Answers Nos. 817-837
817. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some dialysis patients from County Mayo are unable to receive their treatment at Mayo University Hospital; the reason this is the case; the steps being taken to rectify the situation; when a person (details supplied) will have their dialysis transferred to the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/21]
View answerSaolta Hospital Group advises that some Mayo-based patients have been offered dialysis treatment in University Hospital Galway when the unit in Mayo University Hospital is at full capacity, and where this supports earlier access to treatment.
Efforts continue to be made to support the repatriation of dialysis patients from Mayo to Mayo University Hospital for treatment closer to home. This includes increases in capacity in response to demand.
Treatment may, however, continue to be offered, and provided, at other locations where this supports earlier access to dialysis.
818. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the vacant staff positions at University Hospital Kerry; the grades of these positions; the length of time each position has been vacant in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24230/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
819. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the recent rise in emergency department trolley figures at University Hospital Kerry; the average weekly figures since the beginning of 2021 in tabular form; if any recent operational changes can be attributed to the rise in the figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24232/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
820. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding accreditation, equipment technology and holistic management of cases have been previously communicated to the relevant stakeholders as impediments to availing of NTPF support; if so, if the details of such communication will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24235/21]
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.
821. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for vascular surgery at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24238/21]
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 to improve 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 information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of persons on the waiting list for vascular surgery at Roscommon University Hospital, is outlined in the attached document.
Roscommon University Hospital IPDC Vascular Surgery Waiting List
|
Values |
0-3 Mths |
3-6 Mths |
6-9 Mths |
9-12 Mths |
12-15 Mths |
15-18 Mths |
18-24 Mths |
24-36 Mths |
Grand Total |
|
Latest |
7 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
29 |
822. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time physiotherapists working in Our Lady's Hospital, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim in each of the past three years to date in 2021; if this number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24239/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
823. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the changes being made in the arrangements for partners to attend a birth. [24242/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
825. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the promise to align the introduction of minimum unit pricing on alcohol with Northern Ireland has not been kept given that by introducing minimum unit pricing here it will drive consumers over the Border for much lower priced alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24244/21]
View answerThe 2013 Government Decision which envisaged that minimum unit pricing of alcohol products would be introduced in Northern Ireland and in the Republic simultaneously was revised by Government on 4 May 2021 at my request. I look forward to the implementation of this important public health measure to reduce the disease, disability and death associated with the harmful use of alcohol.
826. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to provide financial assistance to persons requiring the use of oxygen machines currently costing approximately €1 per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24257/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
827. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will take over the maintenance and upkeep of community provided lifesaving defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24258/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
829. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if child psychologists have been seconded by the HSE to do administration work for the vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24276/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
830. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will issue instructions to have a uniform policy nationally in regard to a partner's ability to attend maternity services such as appointments and births under Covid-19 regulations as opposed to the ad hoc situation which currently varies on a hospital by hospital basis. [24283/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
831. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24310/21]
View answer832. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24311/21]
View answer833. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24312/21]
View answer834. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24313/21]
View answer835. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24314/21]
View answer836. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24315/21]
View answer837. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on a recommendation in the Ombudsman report Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes (details supplied). [24316/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 831 to 837, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Health, I welcome the publication of the recent report by the Ombudsman on the circumstances of younger people living in nursing homes. While nursing homes can be an appropriate care option for younger people with a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in their own home, alternative solutions are needed for others to give them more independence and choice in their daily lives.
The Programme for Government is committed to providing a pathway to eliminate the practice of accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes. As a first step, €3m has been allocated for a HSE led pilot project this year to assist 18 people inappropriately placed in nursing homes to move to more appropriate housing options in the community. The HSE intends to undertake a mapping exercise to identify the number of people with disabilities living in nursing homes who wish to access an alternative support service in the community. Each Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) will be allocated a budget for proposals to facilitate the transition of two people within their catchment area, with the first such moves expected in the second half of this year.
My Department is working to introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high-quality regulated homecare. The provision of home support on a statutory basis is key to giving younger people with complex disabilities more alternatives to nursing home care and wider opportunities to live fuller, more independent lives.
In relation to nursing home placements, it is my view that informed consent in line with national policy should be followed at all times. I understand that consent matters will be further addressed by the HSE though integration within the plan to move from Local Placement Forums (LPFs) to Integrated Decision Making Forums. Integrated Decision Making Forums are to be stood up in each CHO area for the purpose of identifying a range of pathways of care across the different care groups including Mental Health and Disability Services. These forums will support the principle of a ‘Home First’ approach recognising the fact that service users want to be cared for within their own homes and communities. The project team for the Assisted Decision Making Act, in the absence of the full enactment of the 2015 Act, have been asked to develop an operational guidance document based on the National Consent Policy to be used as a reference guide for forum members. Valid consent will be embedded in every decision making process of these forums.
In addition, my Department is reviewing the regulatory framework with the aim of enhancing the oversight and regulation of nursing homes at both primary and secondary legislation level. This work will support the implementation of the learning and recommendations from the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel. This year I intend to bring forward interim enhancements to the primary legislative framework to, amongst other things, enhance the governance and oversight of nursing homes and improve the reporting of key operational data. The secondary legislation will also be enhanced further. In January 2021, the Government approved the inclusion of a Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 on its spring legislative agenda. Developmental work is ongoing in my Department in collaboration with HIQA. It is anticipated that a stakeholder consultation process, through the Expert Panel implementation structures, in the first instance, will be undertaken in the coming months on proposals. It is then intended to seek Government approval to draft a General Scheme of a Bill, and progress these interim enhancements. A scoping exercise for a wider, comprehensive root and branch review of the legislation will be undertaken later this year with a view to commencing that review in 2022. Finally, the recommendation for CHOs to ensure full access to primary care services is most properly an operational matter for the HSE. However, it is important to note that individuals living in nursing homes (irrespective of age) have the same level of access to primary care services as individuals living in the wider community. At the same time, it is accepted that capacity deficits, especially in relation to staffing, can mean delays in accessing primary care services or, in some localities, can even mean that a particular service may not be available. The increased investment announced in Budget 2021, combined with the development of reformed delivery models, is intended to ameliorate the challenges that may be faced by individuals in accessing primary care services in line with the overall intention of the recommendation.
