Thursday, 14 Oct 2021

Healthcare Policy

Questions (186, 190, 191)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50247/21]

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Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

190. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50261/21]

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Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

191. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for a national diabetes register; the reason there is no current register (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50262/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 190 and 191 together.

In September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry.

The development of a National Diabetes Registry will have a long-term benefit on

- Patient care by facilitating benchmarking of individual care against guideline recommendations and QI feedback to practitioners

- Provision of appropriate health services by providing reliable information to healthcare planners and policymakers.

This project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work. This project remains a priority and, subject to COVID-19, will be revisited in the future.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (187)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for a national diabetes register; the reason there is no current register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50248/21]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

In September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry.

The development of a National Diabetes Registry will have a long-term benefit on

- Patient care by facilitating benchmarking of individual care against guideline recommendations and QI feedback to practitioners

- Provision of appropriate health services by providing reliable information to healthcare planners and policymakers.

This project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work. This project remains a priority and, subject to COVID-19, will be revisited in the future.

Health Services

Questions (188)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of services for heart failure patients in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50254/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services

Questions (189)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of services for heart failure patients within the Chronic Disease Management Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50255/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As part of the 2019 GP Agreement, the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced at the end of January 2020 and is being is being rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS and GP visit card patients over a 4-year period. The chronic diseases included are: Diabetes Type 2, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disease including Heart Failure.

Patients with an existing diagnosis of one of the specified conditions will participate in the structured treatment programme. Patients without an existing diagnosis may be assessed by their GP on an opportunistic case finding basis, and those identified as high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes will enter the preventative programme.

Patients in the CDM Programme will receive two scheduled clinical reviews with their GP in a 12-month period, each preceded with a visit to the practice nurse, while those in the preventative programme receive an annual practice nurse and GP consultation. The reviews include, as appropriate, patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examination, investigations including blood tests, and the provision of individual care plans.

Patients identified at high risk of cardiovascular disease agree a self-management plan with their GP/practice nurse, setting goals for improvement. Referrals to support services for smoking cessation, harmful alcohol treatment and weight management are made as appropriate.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 186.

Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 186.

Abortion Services

Questions (192)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the recorded number of ambulance despatches treating women suffering complications from self-administering medical abortions after receiving remote medical advice since 2020; when telemedicine for such cases was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50263/21]

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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.

Cross-Border Co-operation

Questions (193)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an assurance that the cross border health scheme will continue after 31 December 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/21]

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Written answers

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.

Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 182.

Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 183.

Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 184.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (204)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

204. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding or support to organisations for the purchase of air purifiers and CO2 monitors in order to facilitate their return to normal activities particularly in the case of organisations frequented mostly by older persons such as bridge clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Building ventilation has remained one element of the broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation of the role of ventilation has evolved in the context of developing experience and evidence, guidance, training, and measures implemented reflects this learning.

It is the responsibility of individual Government departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this regard, The Deputy may wish to enquire with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as to ventilation guidance and supports provided to specific sectors under its remit.

Furthermore the Deputy’s attention is drawn to some of the published guidance which may be informative:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on non-healthcare settings: Guidance for non-clinical settings - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

HPSC COVID-19 has published “COVID-19 Guidance for Hospitality Businesses V1.8 01.10.2021” Hospitality guidance.pdf (hpsc.ie)

Workplaces, Businesses (including hospitality), Retails Settings, and Shopping Centres:

A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 16th September as a collaborative effort between employers and employees, which was led by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health, with the support of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including enhanced detail on ventilation: www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/.

The Health and Safety Authority has also published checklists, including one on the topic of ventilation, to support employers preparing for the return of employees to the workplace: www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/covid-19_coronavirus_information_and_resources/.

Fáilte Ireland:

Operational Guidelines | Business Supports | COVID-19 Support Hub | Fáilte Ireland (failteireland.ie)

failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Activity-Providers.pdf.

The Arts:

The Arts Council has published a guidance note for the Arts Sector: Covid - 19 Guidance for the Arts Sector (artscouncil.ie)

Departmental Properties

Questions (205)

Emer Higgins

Question:

205. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of buildings either owned or managed by his Department in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15; and if they are currently being used. [50315/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Mental Health Services

Questions (206)

Duncan Smith

Question:

206. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on funding for 24 hour paediatric psychiatry services in public hospitals and emergency departments; the estimated expenditure on this service in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50329/21]

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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 Staff

Questions (207)

Bríd Smith

Question:

207. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to national and international guidelines that recommend there should be 14 neurology nurse specialists employed in the neurology department based on the population number living in the catchment area of St. James’ Hospital but there are currently four nurses; if he has plans to increase the level of neurology nurses at St. James’ Hospital; and if so, if he will provide a timeline for same. [50330/21]

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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

Questions (208)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the role of dedicated national lead for mental health in the HSE. [50331/21]

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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.

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

Questions (209)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

209. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his Department’s plans to engage with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in respect of introducing an individual risk assessment for all prospective donors to compliment arrangements in place regarding persons that can donate blood in Northern Ireland. [50332/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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 established an independent Advisory Committee for Social Behaviours Review to review the evidence base for donor selection, deferral and exclusion in Ireland in relation to social behaviours that may increase the risk for acquiring specific blood-borne infections.

The work of the Advisory Committee is the subject of consideration between my Department and the IBTS.