Written Answers Nos. 2189-2207
2189. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will issue guidelines in relation to nursing home residents leaving the nursing home for day visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36876/21]
View answer2280. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when residents of nursing homes who are fully vaccinated will be permitted to leave the grounds of the nursing home for family occasions and be with family for walks and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37224/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2189 and 2280 together.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has recently published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). This guidance came into effect on 19 July. The public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with COVID-19.
The new guidance provides that:
- Providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
- Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance.
- There is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
- The duration of the visit should not be limited.
- Fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
In relation to outings the guidance provides that outings and visits to a home can be facilitated If there is a high level of vaccination in the nursing home. Nursing home residents are reminded that they should follow public health advice while on outings from the nursing home. This means keeping distance from other people, regularly washing hands and wearing masks when indoors with people that might not be vaccinated. The guidance states that residents do not need to stay in their room on their return from a drive or visit. If a resident is not vaccinated the risk to them of going out to meet other people is a lot greater especially if the people they meet are not vaccinated.
Notwithstanding the current positive epidemiological outlook and the cautious reopening of society, risks continue to remain and emergent risks such as variants of concern present ongoing challenges and the need for vigilance. Visiting arrangements should continue to take account of general public health advice and the necessary infection prevention and control measures, to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. This is particularly important in the context of the increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant. This new variant poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination.
Visitors are reminded of their responsibilities with regard to self-checks for COVID-19 in advance of visits, infection and prevention control and social interaction with all individuals, while in the nursing home.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
2190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 448 of 1 July 2021, the details of the recruitment process and selection criteria through which the independent expert chosen to lead the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is being made; if the independent expert has been selected; if so, the name of this person; the remuneration being provided to the Independent expert; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36886/21]
View answerThe Deputy's previous question concerned the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, required under section 7 of the Act, which is being progressed this year.
The approach to the review has not yet been finalised.
2191. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 448 of 1 July 2021, the details of the stakeholder groups he has met as part of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when and the locations in which such meetings were held; if they were sought by his Department or by the stakeholder groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36887/21]
View answer2536. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the stakeholder groups he met with to discuss the approach being taken with the three year review of the Health Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act; the names of the stakeholders with whom he met; and the dates upon which these meetings took place. [38006/21]
View answer3195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the stakeholder groups that he met as part of the consultation in relation to the review of the abortion legislation; the method by which they were selected; if he is satisfied that these groups represent the broad spectrum of Irish opinion on this sensitive issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40738/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2191, 2536 and 3195 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.
At their request, I held online meetings with stakeholder groups in early June to discuss the approach for the review which is being developed by my Department. This included the Oireachtas All-Party Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and a group of Civil Society organisations brought together by the National Women's Council of Ireland.
The approach for the review will be finalised in due course.
2192. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 1 July 2021, the reason he completely ignored the substance of the question that was asked and provided an identical answer as that provided to Parliamentary Question No. 448 of 1 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/21]
View answerThe Deputy's previous question concerned the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, required under section 7 of the Act, which is being progressed this year.
Information available at the time on the process involved was provided in the response to the Deputy. The approach to the review has not yet been finalised.
2193. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the ability for those aged 35-40 years to register directly with pharmacies for vaccination in line with the system now in place for 18-34 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36900/21]
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 ongoing, 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.
2194. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the buildings in Mullingar and its environs owned or operated by the Health Service Executive. [36906/21]
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.
2195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a refund mechanism is in place for those financially impacted by the unavailability of the drug payments scheme during the cyber-attack on the HSE network. [36907/21]
View answerDrugs Payment Scheme card holders who have paid over the monthly threshold of €114 can apply to the HSE for a refund of the amount above the threshold.
Further details and the refund claim form are available on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/services/drugs-payment-scheme/drugs-payment-scheme-card.html
2196. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason those attending for vaccinations in County Westmeath are being forced to attend two separate vaccination centres for either dose which are 75 kilometres apart given the restrictions on public transport; and the other options that are available for transport. [36908/21]
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 ongoing, 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.
2197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if those waiting on their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine will be able to obtain same via a pharmacist. [36909/21]
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 ongoing, 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.
2198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on psychological services in County Longford in tabular form. [36910/21]
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.
2199. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 5 May 2021 and the reply by the HSE, when the boarding out scheme was last reviewed by his Department or an agency under his Department. [36911/21]
View answerThe HSE completed a review of the Boarding Out Scheme in 2017. The Scheme facilitates older people to remain in their communities where they may otherwise be accommodated in residential care. It can also help to reduce social isolation. While the use of the Boarding Out Scheme by the HSE has traditionally been small there is value in exploring it further. I have requested that officials in the Department consider this model of care and the Regulations in the context of our overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer. I expect preliminary work to begin later this year.
2200. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken regarding the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of Lyme disease and to ensure that persons suffering with Lyme disease or chronic Lyme disease are being properly supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36947/21]
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.
2201. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a report (details supplied) commissioned by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36948/21]
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.
2202. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the blood donation policy in view of recent policy changes in blood donation policy in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36949/21]
View answerThe remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the recipients and the donors of blood and blood products. The IBTS constantly keeps all deferral policies under active review, in the light of scientific evidence, emerging infections and international evidence, to ensure the ongoing safety of blood and the products derived from it.
The IBTS lifted its lifelong ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood in January 2017, when the deferral policy was reduced to a period of one year following their last sexual encounter with a man.
My Department is in the process of establishing a post-implementation surveillance monitoring group to assess the impact, if any, on the incidence of transfusion transmitted infections, following the change to donor deferral policies in 2017. The output of this Group will provide an evidence base that can inform future decisions on proposed changes to deferral policies, including any future changes to MSM deferral policy.
2203. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on the endoscopy waiting list at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36959/21]
View answer2204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on the endoscopy waiting list for longer than 13 weeks at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36960/21]
View answer2205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on the endoscopy waiting list for longer than 26 weeks at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36961/21]
View answer2206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on the endoscopy waiting list for longer than 39 weeks at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36962/21]
View answer2207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on the endoscopy waiting list for longer than 52 weeks at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36963/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2203 to 2207, inclusive, together.
It 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 was 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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (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.
The HSE continues to work to improve access, particularly to urgent colonoscopy services. In addition, the NTPF is working closely with individual hospitals to improve access to endoscopy/colonoscopy services for waiting list patients, including through the outsourcing of G.I. Scopes treatment to private hospitals for clinically suitable patients, where capacity is available.
In 2020 the NTPF arranged 7,399 scopes for patients. The NTPF continues to commission treatment for patients and plans to double the number of scopes it arranges in 2021.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the 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 13 May 2021. The data requested by the Deputy regarding the Endoscopy waiting list at University Hospital Kerry is outlined in the attached document which provides the waiting list for G.I.Scopes by time band on 13 May 2021.
|
G.I. Endoscopy Waiting List at University Hospital Kerry at 13 May 2021 |
|||||
|
Latest |
Column Labels |
||||
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
University Hospital Kerry |
696 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
698 |
