Written Answers Nos. 82-100
82. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when kaftrio for cystic fibrosis patients 12 years and older will be approved in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37588/21]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes and for the administration of the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
The HSE has advised that reimbursement under the High-Tech Drug Arrangements was approved in October 2020 for Ivacaftor/ Tezacaftor/ Elexacaftor (Kaftrio) in a combination regimen with ivacaftor 150 mg tablets for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 12 years and older who are homozygous for the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene or heterozygous for F508del in the CFTR gene with a minimal function (MF) mutation. This reimbursement approval is fully aligned with the initial EMA market authorisation which issued on 21 August 2020.
The HSE advises that on 26 April 2021 the European Commission approved the EMA's recommended licence extension of Kaftrio for the following indication:
- In a combination regimen with Ivacaftor 150mg tablets for the treatment of CF in patients aged 12 years and older who have at least one F508del mutation in the CFTR gene.
In line with agreed formal processes governing the reimbursement of new medicines or new indications of existing medicines in Ireland, the assessment process commences when the applicant company submits a rapid review dossier of evidence to the HSE. The HSE has confirmed that it has received a rapid review dossier for the above extended indication of Kaftrio from the applicant company on 26 March 2021.
The HSE further advises that the necessary arrangements to support reimbursement are currently being progressed and reimbursement is expected to be in place in the near future.
The application remains under consideration with the HSE.
83. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the process for hearing aids under audiology will be reviewed in view of the long delays in County Kerry (details supplied). [37823/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
84. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the known impact of the cyberattack on the HSE and his Department on medical procedures, tests and operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28168/21]
View answerThe HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The attack had the impact of removing access to most patient and care systems as well as the central business systems of the HSE. Over the last weeks many of these systems have been recovered and services have recommenced. There was a priority focus on key systems in the hospital and community areas with a view to resuming vita services. Some of the key areas recovered included, radiotherapy, laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, mental health systems, email and patient administration systems.
At present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and indeed loss of records at a time when the HSE was working mostly on paper based processes. There are still la number of areas of ongoing concern including endoscopy in some locations, sterile supplies, stroke telemedicine email still has issues while the systems themselves are back.
The impact of the attack on services has been to increase risk associated with the absence of systems or the use of manual processes, the loss of some services such as endoscopy, radiotherapy and scheduled care including community therapies. The position now is that most services have returned and have begun to catch up on patients / service users that were delayed. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak of Jan/Feb 2021 so Conti has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the full resumption of respite services in County Galway which have been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37581/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
86. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce cost effective rapid antigen testing at local pharmacy level to protect against and contain Covid-19 at the earliest possible opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37685/21]
View answer129. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of the use of rapid antigen testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37743/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 129 together.
Considerable work has been undertaken to date to evaluate the potential use of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) in an Irish context and this will continue on an ongoing basis. In the health sector, the HSE has deployed rapid antigen tests for use for specific indications in the acute hospital setting, and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community setting, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. This includes updating the case definition for SARS-CoV-2 to accept notification of positive results from rapid antigen tests undertaken in the public health system and reporting of such cases to the COVID Care tracker and to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) information system developed to manage the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Ireland.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, supported by the HSE, has implemented an antigen testing programme in food processing facilities, supplementing the PCR serial testing programme there. These tests are being carried out under clinical governance arrangements put in place by the Department of Agriculture. A further rapid testing pilot scheme began on June 14th in four universities including NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and UCC. Operational planning is also underway in the HSE in relation to the piloting of testing using RADTs in other education and childcare settings. This includes development of guidance documentation, a training programme and other related templates and resources to support the testing pathway for educational facilities.
The “Report of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Group” which was chaired at my request by the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Mark Ferguson, and published on 1 April 2021, made a number of recommendations for sectors outside the health sector and these are a matter for the Ministers and Departments with responsibility for the sectors concerned.
The HSE has recently published the report of the Antigen Test Validation Project which validated a number of rapid antigen detection tests (ADTS) intended for testing samples for SARS-CoV-2 antigen. The products evaluated were chosen as those expected to represent the best available products based on the manufacturers claims and other available evidence. The recommendations in this report will assist in the consideration of any other potential applications of rapid antigen detection tests to support the overall national testing strategy.
I have established an Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing which will be chaired by Professor Mary Horgan, to support and advise Government departments who are responsible for progressing pilots and the rollout of rapid tests to their respective sectors.
On an ongoing basis, the National Public Health Emergency Team considers and reviews how best to target testing to detect, and mitigate the impact of, the virus across the population. This includes keeping Ireland’s national testing and tracing policy under continuing review.
87. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28327/21]
View answer161. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when information will be provided on the review into the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28222/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 161 together.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act”.
The review is being progressed this year and it will be led by an independent expert.
While I expect that the independent expert appointed may wish to input on the approach and methodology, at this point I anticipate that the review will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.
Upon completion, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.
89. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the considerations in giving Covid-19 vaccines available to the 15 to 17-year-old age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/21]
View answer105. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccinations will be provided to those aged 12 to 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37669/21]
View answer138. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when children under 18 years of age will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37593/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 105 and 138 together.
Ireland welcomes the European Medicines Agency age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee are reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
90. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the supports he is providing to reduce waiting times for inpatient and day case procedures and outpatient appointments in the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37667/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last sixteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the most recently available waiting list figures to 13th May 2021.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining 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. However, the implementation of this plan has been suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which had a significant impact on acute hospitals.
The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The HSE advise that at present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and there are still a number of areas of ongoing concern. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak in the first quarter of this year and the ransomware attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services. My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021
At the 13th of May 2021, nationwide there were 76,510 patients waiting for an adult or child IPDC procedure, a reduction of 13% (-11,085) compared to the same period last year. At the 13th May 2021 there were 630,270 waiting for a first outpatient appointment across all hospital groups, an increase of 10% (+59, 620) compared to the same period last year.
Specifically in relation to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, at the 13th of May 2021, there were 1,279 patients waiting for an adult or child IPDC procedure, a reduction of 40% (-851) compared to the same period last year. At the 13th May 2021 there were 19,336 waiting for a first outpatient appointment at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore an increase of 4% (+811) compared to the same period last year.
The NTPF have advised my Department that they have approved Outpatient and Inpatient-Daycase insourcing initiatives so far in 2021 for the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, which will facilitate treatment for 2,431 patients on waiting lists. Details of these initiatives are outlined in the attached document.
An additional €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 NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
NTPF Insourcing Approved OPD Proposals 2021 Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore
|
Specialty |
Initiative Type |
Volume |
|
Orthopaedics |
OPD |
500 |
|
Vascular |
OPD |
300 |
|
Nephrology |
OPD |
200 |
|
General Medicine |
OPD See & Treat |
200 |
|
Endoscopy |
OPD |
325 |
|
Total |
1,525 |
NTPF Insourcing Approved IPDC Proposals 2021 Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore
|
Specialty |
Initiative Type |
Volume |
|
General Surgery |
IPDC |
55 |
|
ENT |
IPDC |
492 |
|
Orthopaedics |
IPDC |
359 |
|
Total |
906 |
Inpatient - Daycase (IPDC), numbers waiting by time-band (months), Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore as at 13/05/2021
|
Time-bands |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18 + Mths |
Total |
|
Adult |
814 |
121 |
97 |
184 |
1,216 |
|
Child |
60 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
63 |
|
Grand Total |
874 |
124 |
97 |
184 |
1,279 |
Outpatient (OPD), numbers waiting by time-band (months), Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore as at 13/05/2021
|
Time-bands |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18 + Mths |
Total |
|
Adult |
4,868 |
3,376 |
2,283 |
6,023 |
16,550 |
|
Child |
557 |
379 |
492 |
1,357 |
2,786 |
|
Grand Total |
5,425 |
3,755 |
2,775 |
7,380 |
19,336 |
91. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on restoring public dental services in Listowel, County Kerry and providing an additional orthodontist in the area. [37677/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
92. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that a drug manufactured by a company (details supplied) will be included in the cannabis access programme; if he will report on the operation of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/21]
View answerMedical Cannabis Access Programme
The provision of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme as a result of recommendations by the Health Products Regulatory Authority in their “Cannabis for Medical User – A Scientific Review”.
The review stated that if the policy decision is to make cannabis available for medical purposes, the HPRA advised that it should recognise patient need, but be evidence based. It was advised, that treatment with cannabis be only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with the following medical conditions which have failed to respond to standard treatments;
spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
Subsequently the Minister for Health established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Medical Cannabis Access Programme. This Group developed detailed Clinical Guidelines for the MCAP to be followed by clinicians, which contained inter alia guidance on ingredient combinations that are recommended for each of the three indications included in the MCAP
The Medicinal Cannabis Access programme (MCAP) is a 5-year pilot programme. The purpose of the programme is to facilitate access to acceptable cannabis-based products for medical use that are of a standardised quality and which meet the requirements outlined in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended).
There are currently 4 products assessed by the HPRA for inclusion in Schedule 1 of the Regulations, more products are currently being assessed by the HPRA.
Reimbursement of the products, prescribed by approved medical consultants and supplied through community pharmacies for a specified therapeutic indication in line with Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended) will be on an individual named patient basis aligned to the patient’s eligibility under the community drug schemes (Medical Card, Long Term Illness Scheme and Drugs Payment Scheme). It cannot be assumed that reimbursement approval will be forthcoming on submission of applications. A reimbursement decision will be communicated with the prescribing consultant in writing.
The HSE have indicated that the MCAP will be operational this month.
Bedrocan
The products you refer to are manufactured by the dispensing pharmacy in the Netherlands. Owing to Dutch government restrictions cannabis-based oils may not be commercially exported to pharmacies or wholesalers however they will allow the filling of individual prescriptions for collection by the patient, the patient’s family or a representative.
Representations were made to the Dutch authorities about having the products exported to Ireland to facilitate their inclusion in the Access Programme if the producers wished to do so. The Dutch authorities replied that magistral preparations may only be provided directly to patients or their representative on the basis of a prescription, presented for dispensing.
Since April 2020, owing to the pandemic the Department has been collecting patient’s prescriptions from the Netherlands and delivering them to patient’s homes. These collections approximately every four weeks and will continue post-pandemic.
As a result of the prohibition of commercial export of the cannabis-based products the manufacturers cannot apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority to have the products included in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme. However patient's can continue be treated with these products if their clinicians have a Ministerial licence issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act to do so.
95. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a replacement general practitioner service for Kiltimagh, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37539/21]
View answerThe HSE is committed to the provision of high-quality GP services through the GMS GP contract. Appointments in respect of new or vacant GMS posts are made through open competition following advertisement and competitive interview. Periodically, challenges can be experienced in regard to the permanent filling of some GP posts. In areas where this challenge is experienced, every effort is made by local HSE management to ensure the provision of GP services to all GMS patients.
In relation to the vacant GMS panel in Kiltimagh, the HSE advertised this post on two occasions, however, efforts to find a permanent GP to serve the practice were unsuccessful.
In order to move away from locum cover and to ensure continuity of care, the HSE made the decision to allow the patients to select a new GP of their choice, rather than attempting to continue to provide cover on a temporary basis. GPs in surrounding areas in addition to the remaining GP in Kiltimagh have agreed to accept patients from the panel of the GP who resigned.
The HSE have assured me that none of these patients will be left without a GP. Any patient who is unable to obtain a GP can contact the National Medical Unit of the HSE who will assign them to a GP.
96. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the supports his Department is considering implementing to support those who have suffered negative reactions to the Covid-19 vaccines such as vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia. [25420/21]
View answerThrombosis with Thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is a very rare side effect associated with adenoviral vector vaccines (Vaxzevria® and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen®). The syndrome involves an unusual combination of thrombosis (blood clots) with thrombocytopenia (abnormally low level of the components that help blood to clot, known as platelets). Vaccine recipients are reminded to seek medical attention if they experience any of the following signs and symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, leg pain, persistent abdominal pain post vaccination, severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, confusion, seizures (fits) or bruising beyond the site of vaccination after a few days.
In its most recent Safety Update, the Health Products Regulatory Authority noted that, as of 9th June, it had received seven reports that are suspected cases of TTS, and which describe the unusual combination of blood clotting in combination with low platelets. In relation to these suspected TTS cases, symptoms occurred approximately 1-3 weeks from vaccination with the first dose of Vaxzevria. Based on information available at the time, the individuals were either discharged or recovering in hospital after receiving specialist medical care.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, Members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
97. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of applications on hand for full-time residential care in the CHO2 region for persons with intellectual disabilities; the additional resources it is planned to make available to meet the demand for these places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, residential care services account for 60% of the total budget of €2.2 billion allocated for specialist disability services this year, with over 8,100 people currently in residential placements.
The HSE utilises a Disability Support Application Management Tool (DSMAT), which enables CHOs to record and manage requests for support and to ensure that the application process is equitable and transparent. The demand for full-time residential placements within designated centres is currently extremely high. At a national level, as of July 2020, there were 1,033 applications for a residential placement, of which 92.7% related to applications from adults, while 6.3% related to children.
In relation to CHO 2, there were 110 applications for a residential placement, as of July 2020. It is important to note that these figures represent a "point in time" analysis and may not include applications which were received by the CHO, but not yet processed using the DSMAT tool.
The allocation of residential placements is determined on the basis of presenting need and/or associated risk factors. Each CHO continues to actively manage applications for support from service users with high levels of acuity/ safeguarding risks, through lower-cost non-residential interventions such as in-home and Residential Respite, active case-management and inter-agency cooperation.
This year, the Government provided an additional €100 million in the 2021 Budget for new disability developments. This includes €15m earmarked for 102 additional residential placements, with a focus on increasing capacity within residential services in a planned way and continuing to respond to the need for crisis residential placements. Within the allocation of €100m, additional funding has also been provided to increase the availability of intensive support packages to enable people with a disability and complex needs to remain living at home for longer.
98. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28328/21]
View answerThe provision of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme as a result of recommendations by the Health Products Regulatory Authority in their “Cannabis for Medical User – A Scientific Review”.
The review stated that if the policy decision is to make cannabis available for medical purposes, the HPRA advised that it should recognise patient need, but be evidence based. It was advised, that treatment with cannabis be only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with the following medical conditions which have failed to respond to standard treatments;
spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
Subsequently the Minister for Health established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Medical Cannabis Access Programme. This Group developed detailed Clinical Guidelines for the MCAP to be followed by clinicians, which contained inter alia guidance on ingredient combinations that are recommended for each of the three indications included in the MCAP
The Medicinal Cannabis Access programme (MCAP) is a 5-year pilot programme. The purpose of the programme is to facilitate access to acceptable cannabis-based products for medical use that are of a standardised quality and which meet the requirements outlined in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended).
There are currently 4 products assessed by the HPRA for inclusion in Schedule 1 of the Regulations, more products are currently being assessed by the HPRA.
Reimbursement of the products, prescribed by approved medical consultants and supplied through community pharmacies for a specified therapeutic indication in line with Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended) will be on an individual named patient basis aligned to the patient’s eligibility under the community drug schemes (Medical Card, Long Term Illness Scheme and Drugs Payment Scheme). It cannot be assumed that reimbursement approval will be forthcoming on submission of applications. A reimbursement decision will be communicated with the prescribing consultant in writing.
The HSE is responsible for the operation of the MCAP. The MCAP was included in the HSE Service Plan 2021 and the HSE has indicated that it is expected to commence shortly.
99. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the status of waiting list for elective surgery in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37741/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last sixteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the most recently available waiting list figures to 13th May 2021.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining 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. However, the implementation of this plan has been suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which had a significant impact on acute hospitals.
The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The HSE advise that at present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and there are still a number of areas of ongoing concern. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak in the first quarter of this year and the ransomware attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services. My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
An additional €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 NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021. The information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of persons on the waiting list for elective surgery in County Mayo is outlined in the attached document.
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
Cardiology |
166 |
67 |
6 |
5 |
244 |
|
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Dermatology |
6 |
6 |
|||
|
Gastro-Enterology |
52 |
12 |
6 |
5 |
75 |
|
General Medicine |
290 |
187 |
200 |
223 |
900 |
|
General Surgery |
173 |
86 |
74 |
57 |
390 |
|
Gynaecology |
180 |
60 |
48 |
129 |
417 |
|
Neurology |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Ophthalmology |
129 |
37 |
29 |
20 |
215 |
|
Oral Surgery |
21 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
45 |
|
Orthopaedics |
254 |
123 |
81 |
177 |
635 |
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
44 |
15 |
12 |
31 |
102 |
|
Paed Cardiology |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Paed Orthopaedic |
12 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
33 |
|
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine |
5 |
5 |
|||
|
Paediatric Surgery |
7 |
7 |
|||
|
Paediatric Urology |
7 |
5 |
12 |
||
|
Pain Relief |
32 |
23 |
37 |
54 |
146 |
|
Plastic Surgery |
121 |
44 |
43 |
59 |
267 |
|
Respiratory Medicine |
7 |
9 |
16 |
||
|
Rheumatology |
9 |
7 |
16 |
||
|
Small Vol Specialty |
20 |
24 |
17 |
17 |
78 |
|
Urology |
210 |
74 |
37 |
36 |
357 |
|
Vascular Surgery |
8 |
16 |
9 |
14 |
47 |
|
Grand Total |
1,758 |
790 |
621 |
865 |
4,034 |
100. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the current status of primary care centre developments in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37540/21]
View answerThe development of new Primary Care Centres (PCCs) is a key component of the efforts to enhance community care, and to deliver care in a location at, or as near as possible to an individual’s home, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
The most recent update available to the Department from the HSE indicates that there are currently 142 operational PCCs ?nationwide, with a further 30 scheduled to open before the end of 2023. ?Those PCCs currently operational in Mayo are listed below.
|
Primary Care Centre Location |
Date Operational |
|
|
|
|
Achill |
2008 |
|
Ballina |
2011 |
|
Ballinrobe |
2018 |
|
Castlebar |
2016 |
|
Charlestown |
2008 |
|
Claremorris |
2018 |
|
Westport |
2018 |
In addition, a PCC in Ballyhaunis has a scheduled operational date of Q4 2021 while a further centre in Erris is currently at a very early stage in the development process.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
