Tuesday, 12 Oct 2021

Ambulance Service

Questions (526, 527)

Martin Browne

Question:

526. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics employed by the National Ambulance Service, by county, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [49421/21]

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Martin Browne

Question:

527. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of National Ambulance Service ambulances, by county, in each of the past five years, in tabular form [49422/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 527 answered with Question No. 526.

Departmental Funding

Questions (528)

Michael McNamara

Question:

528. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49425/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (529)

Neale Richmond

Question:

529. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to shorten waiting lists for scoliosis operations for children; if he will combat the delays that occurred due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49433/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for hospital appointments and treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last nineteen 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 associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times. However, despite the impact on capacity and activity, Children’s Health Ireland performed 322 spinal surgeries in 2020 compared with 382 in 2019 and 221 by the end of August in 2021.

The cyber-attack in May 2021 caused significant disruption to the orthopaedic service and all services across the Children’s Health Ireland Hospital Group. Many elective cases were postponed. Without access to a patient’s full history and previous diagnostic investigations, it was not considered safe to proceed without all electronic support systems in place. This impacted patients with complex needs in particular and restricted the patient cohort that could safely proceed with surgery during this time.

Children's Health Ireland has informed by Department that most systems are back up and running, but back-loading of information is ongoing, and this continues to have an impact on waiting lists and the number of surgeries completed.

A new Orthopaedic Consultant with a special interest in neuromuscular conditions started in Temple Street last month, which should enable the use of additional theatre capacity and support additional capacity as part of the Cappagh Kids programme. In addition, currently there are additional out-patient clinics and additional theatre sessions being held in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, for non-complex, age-appropriate orthopaedic patients. It is envisioned that this should improve access to theatre on Children’s Health Ireland base sites for more complex patients awaiting surgery.

Children’s Health Ireland is continuing to develop the Advanced Clinical Triage clinic model in City West. Active Clinical Triage is a system which has been adapted for use within the paediatric orthopaedic unit at CHI Crumlin and its purpose is to reduce the overall orthopaedics out-patient waiting list, starting with the longest waiting clinically appropriate referrals.

Children’s Health Ireland continues to work with the HSE to explore new and innovative ways of working and develop initiatives to support additional orthopaedic and scoliosis activity.

An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for access to care, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is being 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 continues to work with the HSE and the NTPF to develop plans to tackle the rise in waiting lists. The Acute Waiting List Action Plan, which is a short-term plan to address loss of activity arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and ransomware attack was published last week. In addition a longer-term Multi Annual Waiting List Plan is being developed with the objective to bring waiting times in line with Sláintecare targets.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (530)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

530. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if there are plans under way to assess additional Covid-19 vaccines for validation or accreditation with the European agencies or the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49434/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.

Four vaccines have been authorised by the EU to date; Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) and Janssen.

A number of vaccine candidates are currently under rolling review by the EMA including NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax), CVnCoV (CureVac) and Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac).

When medicines are under rolling review, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) human medicines committee CHMP evaluates clinical trial data as soon as these become available until it decides there is enough evidence for the developer to apply for marketing authorisation

The EMA cannot provide exact timelines as these depend on when developers provide the necessary data for CHMP review. The EMA updates the status of each medicine under rolling review when the developer applies for marketing authorisation.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (531)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

531. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if there is a pathway available to Irish citizens to avail of an EU Digital Covid certificate who have been fully vaccinated with a non-EMA approved vaccine outside of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49435/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation allows for Digital COVID Certificates to be provided to Union citizens vaccinated in a third country provided that the Member State has been provided with reliable proof of vaccination.

Ireland is developing the capability for Digital COVID Certificates are to be issued to Irish passport holders vaccinated in third countries with vaccines approved for use in Ireland.

The list of vaccines accepted in Ireland for travel purposes is listed on gov.ie and is kept under continuous review.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (532)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

532. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when phase 2 of the implementation of the EU Digital Covid certificate will be open to applications from non-EU countries; when it is estimated this portal will be open to persons to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49436/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation allows for Digital COVID Certificates to be provided to Union citizens vaccinated in a third country provided that the Member State has been provided with reliable proof of vaccination.

Ireland is developing the capability for Digital COVID Certificates are to be issued to Irish passport holders vaccinated in third countries with accepted vaccines. This does not include non-Irish citizens vaccinated in third countries.

Phase 1 of the online portal began to accept applications from Irish passport holders vaccinated in Northern Ireland who hold a Northern Irish COVID vaccination certificate with a QR code on 29th September. Phase 2 will accept applications from Irish passport holders vaccinated in other non-EU countries with an Irish approved vaccine regimen.

This phase is currently in development.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (533)

David Cullinane

Question:

533. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when a vaccine compensation scheme will be established in view of the urgent recommendations made in the Expert Group Report to Review the Law of Torts and the Current Systems for the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49437/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.

Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.

On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (534)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49440/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (535)

Bríd Smith

Question:

535. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address health issues arising for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause; his views on the significant impact menopause in all its stages can have on the health of many women and the significant financial costs incurred by women trying to manage a wide range of debilitating symptoms and issues during this phase of their lives; if there are plans to put in place a dedicated programme for women and health professionals to educate and address health and associated issues experienced by women during all stages of menopause; if there are plans to address the financial costs incurred by women during the menopausal phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49442/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women in Ireland today, and work is underway to drive progress in this area which is being driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce. The Taskforce was convened in September 2019, to improve health outcomes and health experiences for women and girls.

The issue of menopause has also been emphasised through the nationwide “Radical Listening” exercise carried out by the Women’s Health Taskforce. This exercise enabled women across the country to share their views and experiences of the health sector and health services. This was a large-scale consultation process intended to maximise the participation of women across all life stages from 18 years upwards, including minority and disadvantaged women. 278 women participated in open interviews and workshops, where menopause was a recurring theme. Through this process, the taboo around discussing menopause, and a lack of trusted information, were consistently raised as key issues for women experiencing menopause. Minister Donnelly published a report on the findings of the ‘Radical listening’ exercise on September 14th which can be found here:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/ebe3e-significant-milestone-as-minister-donnelly-publishes-a-report-of-womens-voices-on-womens-health-following-a-radical-listening-exercise-this-year/

Minister Donnelly also recently announced his commitment to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland on the 10th of September. These clinics will form a core part of a new approach to menopause care for women in Ireland and will be supported by enhanced community and primary care supports as well as the publication of targeted and trusted sources of information for women experiencing menopause.

The first phase of change will include the development of a dedicated specialist menopause clinic, in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street this year. The clinic will be multidisciplinary supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and clinical nurse/midwife specialists. In addition to seeing women who meet the clinical criteria for referral to the service, the clinical team will also provide advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care. Further details on this announcement can be found here:

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bf7d4-minister-for-health-announces-a-new-approach-to-menopause-care-for-women-in-ireland/

Additional activity underway and planned in the area of menopause includes:

GP training is a key aspect of women receiving the best care through menopause. The Irish College of GPs are active members of the Women's Health Taskforce and continue to be engaged on how women's health can be better considered within the primary care setting. Relevant activity includes the collaboration between ICGP and the British Menopause Society to develop training in menopause management, which is currently in place; a recent ICGP Women’s Health Webinar on menopause and endometriosis which was held in June 2021 and had 1567 attendees; and a GP Education course which was established in September 2021 in the area of Community Gynaecology Course which includes menopause as a topic. The Minister has outlined his support for a new ICGP post of Clinical Lead for Women’s Health in General Practice, the first such post in Ireland. This is currently being progressed and will enable the development of a comprehensive life-course approach to women’s health in General Practice. • A number of health topics relating to women's health, including menopause, have recently been updated and are now live on the HSE A-Z. This information is an important first step towards delivering enhanced information and education on menopause; and

The Healthy Workplace Framework is due to be published in the coming months. Following publication, an Implementation Group will be established with responsibility for developing an action plan. A representative from Women’s Health will be included on the Implementation Group to ensure the needs of women in the workplace are incorporated. This has particular reference to increased awareness of menopause within the workplace.

In addition to the activity outlined above, menopause will continue to be a priority for the Women's Health Taskforce for 2021 and 2022. The Government is committed to improving the health experience of women through the menopause.

Dental Services

Questions (536)

Denis Naughten

Question:

536. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1350 of 9 September, when dental surgery for children will be restored at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49444/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Health Services Staff