Written Answers Nos. 3102-3124
3103. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the amount that was paid out nationwide on the temporary assistance payment scheme since its introduction for nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40309/21]
View answerThe Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, additional support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been delivered through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Due to the ongoing high level of risk associated with COVID-19 during this period, the Department of Health extended the scheme twice, far beyond the originally planned timescale of three months. The further extension of the scheme was outlined in the Government’s Plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19', published in September 2020. This provided assurance of the Scheme’s availability and a planned timeframe of operation to the end of June 2021.
As of 21 July 2021, €112.2m has been paid out under the scheme.
3104. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes nationwide that required support from the temporary assistance payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40310/21]
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.
3105. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all nursing homes that claimed the temporary assistance payment scheme in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/21]
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.
3106. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all nursing homes that claimed the temporary assistance payment scheme in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40312/21]
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.
3107. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that claimed the temporary assistance payment scheme by county in tabular form. [40313/21]
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.
3109. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 cases that were recorded in nursing homes in County Meath since the start of the pandemic to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40315/21]
View answer3110. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 deaths that were recorded in nursing homes in County Meath since the start of the pandemic to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40316/21]
View answer3111. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 cases that were recorded in nursing homes in County Westmeath since the start of the pandemic to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40317/21]
View answer3112. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 deaths that were recorded in nursing homes in County Meath since the start of the pandemic to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40318/21]
View answer3113. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths that were recorded in nursing homes in each county since the start of the pandemic in tabular form. [40319/21]
View answer3114. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home staff that were recorded as Covid-19 cases in County Meath since the start of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40320/21]
View answer3115. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home staff that were recorded as Covid-19 cases in County Westmeath since the start of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40321/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3109 to 3115, inclusive, together.
As these Parliamentary Questions relate to operational issues, 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.
3116. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average number of staff that were employed in nursing homes in each county nationwide in each of the years 2019 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [40322/21]
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.
3117. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres in Dublin; the number proposed; and the delivery date of each. [40326/21]
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 144 operational PCCs nationwide, with a further 30 scheduled to open before the end of 2023.
Those PCCs currently operational in Dublin are listed below.
|
Primary Care Centre Location |
Date Operational |
|
Ashtown/Navan Road & Cabra West |
2015 |
|
Balally/Milltown |
2009 |
|
Balbriggan |
2017 |
|
Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard |
2012 |
|
Ballymun |
2006 |
|
Ballyogan/Leopardstown |
2010 |
|
Blanchardstown – Blakestown/Mountview |
2013 |
|
Bride St/Liberties (Meath Hospital) |
2014 |
|
Cashel Road/Walkinstown (Crumlin) |
2018 |
|
Churchtown |
2012 |
|
Clondalkin Village/Moorefield/Monastery (Steeple House) |
2020 |
|
Coolock (Coolock South combined with Coolock North Darndale) |
2018 |
|
Corduff |
2016 |
|
Dublin South City - Irishtown |
2008 |
|
Dublin South City – Marks Lane/Pearse St |
2009 |
|
Edenmore (East of Coolock |
2020 |
|
Grangegorman |
2018 |
|
Inchicore |
2011 |
|
James St (Pimlico/Liberties) |
2012 |
|
Kilnamanagh/Tymon (Junction House) |
2018 |
|
NE Inner City (Summerhill) |
2019 |
|
Oldtown |
2008 |
|
Portmarnock |
2017 |
|
Rialto/The Coombe |
2020 |
|
Rush |
2008 |
|
Shankill |
2019 |
|
Springfield Tallaght |
2016 |
Two PCCs in Knocklyon/Rathfarnham (Ballyboden) and Clondalkin Village/Moorefield/Monastery (Boot Road) are scheduled to open by the end of 2023. In addition, a further 20 PCCs in Dublin are at various stages of the development process, but estimated operational start dates are not yet available.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, any additional information 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.
3118. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the action he will take regarding the continuous overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40334/21]
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.
3119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of home care support hours being provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021; the way this compares to 2020; the number of persons currently waiting for home care in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40337/21]
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.
3120. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the latest review of the dental treatment services scheme took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40341/21]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. The contract is in place since 1994.
The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, which was published in 2019. The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
I am committed to ensuring the sustainability and viability of the DTSS, which will need to be revised to align it with modern evidence and the aims of the new Policy. There was an intention to commence a review of the DTSS contract last year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this was not possible. Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.
3121. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the supports he is providing to reduce waiting times for inpatient and day case procedures and outpatient appointments in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40342/21]
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 13 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 14 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-19 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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (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 NTPF have advised that they have approved an insourcing initiative for 491 Orthopaedic outpatient appointments at Cavan General Hospital in 2021, and has approved the treatment of 477 Inpatient /Day case patients through outsourcing.
3122. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if additional orthopaedic capacity will be provided at an early date in view of increasing waiting lists for adult and paediatric orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40344/21]
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 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.
At the 13th of May 2021, nationwide there were 11,073 patients waiting for an adult or child orthopaedic IPDC procedure, a reduction of 19% (-2,569) compared to the same period last year. As of the 13th May 2021 there were 75,799 waiting for a first outpatient appointment across all hospital groups, an increase of 6% (+4,379) compared to the same period last year.
Specifically in terms of hip and knee replacements, the NTPF have advised the Department that at the end of May 2020 there were 3,042 patients waiting for such a procedure. Through focused activity, and with the support of the NTPF, at the 13th May 2021 this figure had fallen by 26 % to 2,256 patients.
The NTPF have advised that they have approved proposals for Insourcing Orthopaedic, Inpatient-Daycase and Outpatient initiatives to reduce Orthopaedic waiting lists in 2021, which will see 15,385 patients receive appointments and procedures.
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 number of persons waiting for adult and paediatric orthopaedic surgery is outlined in the attached document. This information is based on the latest available data provided by the NTPF.
Inpatient - Daycase (IPDC) Orthopaedics, numbers waiting by time-band (months) as at 13/05/2021
|
Time-bands |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18 + Mths |
Total |
|
Adult Orthopaedics |
4,964 |
1,830 |
1,196 |
1,578 |
9,568 |
|
Child Orthopaedics |
223 |
59 |
43 |
15 |
340 |
|
Paediatric Orthopaedics |
442 |
234 |
203 |
286 |
1,165 |
|
Grand Total |
5,629 |
2,123 |
1,442 |
1,879 |
11,073 |
Outpatient (OPD) Orthopaedics, numbers waiting by time-band (months) as at 13/05/2021
|
Time-bands |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18 + Mths |
Total |
|
Adult Orthopaedics |
23,597 |
16,489 |
11,245 |
17,932 |
69,263 |
|
Child Orthopaedics |
1,412 |
706 |
389 |
491 |
2,998 |
|
Paediatric Orthopaedics |
1,251 |
929 |
380 |
978 |
3,538 |
|
Grand Total |
26,260 |
18,124 |
12,014 |
19,401 |
75,799 |
The May 2021 Waiting List reports are based on data archived on the 13th May 2021. Due to a ransomware attack on the Irish Health Service, it was not possible to gather or archive updated Waiting List information on the scheduled dates of 20th and 27th May 2021.
3123. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average number of patients who have been on the waiting list for a cancer related hospital appointments in County Meath per month in 2019, 2020 and to date 2021, in tabular form. [40345/21]
View answer3124. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average number of patients who have been on the waiting list for cancer related hospital appointments in County Westmeath per month in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [40346/21]
View answer3125. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been recorded as having a late diagnosis of their cancer in County Meath resulting in a stage 4 or 5 diagnosis in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40347/21]
View answer3126. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been recorded as having a late diagnosis of their cancer in County Westmeath resulting in a stage 4 or 5 diagnosis in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40348/21]
View answer3127. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who had late stage 4 or 5 diagnosis of their cancer in all counties nationwide in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [40349/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3123 to 3127, inclusive, together.
The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued provision of cancer care as a priority. Cancer services continue to operate in line with guidance issued by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
While the NCCP do not collect data on waiting lists by county, they continue to closely monitor trends in numbers coming forward to diagnostic services, and the level of attendances for appointments for treatment. The total number of patients seen across all Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) in 2020 (44,233) amounted to 88% of the 2019 figure (50,249). However, GP e-referrals to RACs for weeks 2-17 (up to 25 April) this year were 153% of the activity in the corresponding weeks in 2020, and 126% for the corresponding weeks in 2019.
Target times, within which patients triaged as urgent should be seen, are in place for the Breast, Lung and Prostate clinics. The performance of each hospital in meeting these targets is monitored by the NCCP and reviewed at monthly meetings with the Department of Health. The performance of each clinic against their KPI for 2019, 2020 and indicative data for 2021 is as follows:
|
Clinic |
KPI |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (Jan-May) |
|
Urgent Symptomatic Breast |
95% within 10 days |
69.9% |
70.3% |
65.3% |
|
Rapid Access Lung |
95% within 10 days |
86.7% |
86.8% |
92.2% |
|
Rapid Access Prostate |
90% within 20 days |
67.0% |
52.0% |
58.9% |
Medical, radiation and surgical oncology services continued throughout the pandemic, utilising the safeguards of social distancing and infection prevention & control measures built up over the past year. The number of patients receiving chemotherapy up to end-2020 (105,541) was at approximately 90% of 2019 activity (117,328), while radiation oncology to end-2020 (98,997) was operating at 93% of 2019 activity (106,900).
Urgent surgery was prioritised and there was an emphasis on maintaining safe patient pathways in this regard. Surgery numbers up to end-2020 (12,706) were at 82% of the 2019 levels (15,450). This figure does not include surgeries involving public patients that were undertaken in private hospitals, so the overall figure is higher.
The National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) estimates that approximately 24,793 people were diagnosed with cancer (excluding Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer) annually in Ireland between 2018-2020. However, the NCRI advises that stage data for 2019-2021 is not yet available and that data is only collected for cancers diagnosed at stages I - IV.
Funding of €12m was allocated this year for the restoration of cancer services to 95% of 2019 (pre-Covid) levels. This funding is supporting hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, providing additional clinics, increasing diagnostic capacity and providing locum/temporary support. It is also supporting virtual clinics and more accurate triage, and is facilitating infrastructure and minor equipment purchases to increase capacity across Rapid Access Clinics and surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology services.
In addition, as part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m has been allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding is being used to facilitate developments across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient supports.
