David Cullinane
Question:197. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address the matter raised in correspondence by person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59602/21]
View answerDepartmental Correspondence
Questions (197)
Written answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (199)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:199. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners currently being experienced in north County Dublin; if he has plans to specifically address the increasing general practice needs for the growing population of north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59604/21]
View answerWritten answers
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. As of November, there is one GMS vacancy in the area concerned, a locum GP is currently provided care for patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice in certain areas and a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice have been implemented.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement GP. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with further increases expected.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (200)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:200. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the opening of Swords primary care centre; if he is giving consideration to directly employing general practitioners in this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59605/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (201)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:201. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if special arrangements will be made for those with underlying conditions to receive their booster vaccine from their general practitioners instead of at a vaccination centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59606/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (202)
Niall Collins
Question:202. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a child (details supplied); the steps he will take to provide a solution to the issues in relation to the treatment of children with spina bifida and or hydrocephalus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59607/21]
View answerWritten answers
I acknowledge that waiting times for many hospital procedures and appointments are unacceptably long. It is of particular regret that children can experience long waiting times for orthopaedic treatment, especially for time sensitive procedures, and I remain acutely aware of the impact that this has on children and their families.
Children’s Health Ireland continues to examine new and innovative ways to improve access to orthopaedic services. “Cappagh Kids” at the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional theatre capacity for non-complex, age appropriate, orthopaedic procedures, freeing up much needed space at central CHI sites for children with complex, multi-disciplinary needs. Additional orthopaedic outpatient sessions are also now held at Cappagh, providing additional capacity to see and assess children on the outpatient waiting list.
In addition, a fast-track orthopaedic pathway has been developed as part of outpatient reduction plans. Paediatric Active Clinical Triage has already been introduced for the longest waiters (over 12 months) on the paediatric outpatient list.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised regarding a date for a procedure for the person concerned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (203)
Seán Sherlock
Question:203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if all respite beds are being used to their maximum capacity in the CHO4 area; if not, the location of beds in units in which there is spare capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59610/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (204)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:204. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of planned surgeries that have been cancelled in Galway University Hospital over each of the past six months as a result of bed capacity issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59617/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages
Questions (205)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:205. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the total number of homecare hours applied for by CHO 2; the total number granted over each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59618/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Services
Questions (206)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:206. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the primary care plans for CHO 2; the progress to date on each project; the timeframe for delivery of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59619/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (207)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for approval of a homecare application; the level of delayed discharges from each hospital in Galway University Hospital while waiting on a homecare package or community bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59620/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (208)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:208. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of community hospital beds in Galway University Hospital available to patients on discharge from acute hospitals; if he plans to increase community bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59621/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (209)
Joe Carey
Question:209. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59622/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (210)
Joe Carey
Question:210. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a procedure will take place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59623/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (211, 212)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to temporary HSE Covid-19 test centres using inaccurate and or misleading Eircodes. [59626/21]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:212. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has been instructed not to use an alternative postcode (details supplied) for their temporary Covid-19 testing or vaccination centres by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. [59627/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
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. 212 answered with Question No. 211.
Disability Services
Questions (213)
Pauline Tully
Question:213. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of additional therapy posts that are needed to fully resource children’s disability network teams to an adequate level that will ensure timely access to both an assessment of need report and the subsequent access to the interventions identified in the assessment of needs report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59631/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (214)
Pauline Tully
Question:214. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to develop a workforce plan for psychology and a National Psychology Placement Office in line with the recommendations of the National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59632/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Report of the Psychology Review Implementation Group in 2017 expanded the care group employment available to counselling and educational psychologists. The report’s recommendation led to the establishment of a Project Team to implement this recommendation.
In February 2019, HSE Community Operations convened a Project Team, chaired by Dr Cathal Morgan, comprised of representatives from Clinical, Counselling and Educational Psychology; Social Care, Disability, and Mental Health services; Community and Acute services; Operational and National HR; and the Health and Social Care Professions office.
The Project Team was tasked with, inter alia, considering the preparation of a workforce plan for psychological services in the HSE, including an examination of the current framework for training psychologists for the health service, and the type, and skill-mix, required for the future. The work of the Project Team has been informed by a thorough stakeholder consultation process.
The Report of the National Psychology Project Team – Establishment of a National Psychology Placement Office and Workforce Planning was completed in January 2021. The Report contains a plan to address a range of matters in relation to psychology through establishment of a placement office and workforce planning. Implementation of the report’s recommendations and the creation of a National Psychology Placement Office are a matter for the HSE to prioritise in the context of available resources.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (215)
David Cullinane
Question:215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his response to a submission by a group (details supplied); if legislation is planned to add physiotherapists to the list of persons permitted to refer a person for ionising radiation; if he is liaising with the HSE to introduce the proposed grade of advanced practice physiotherapist; the timeframe for delivering the proposals in the pre-Budget submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59633/21]
View answerWritten answers
Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests; nurses, doctors, dentists, and radiographers are designated as appropriate. It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations.
The requirement for physiotherapists to order x-rays needs to be determined in the context of the new models of healthcare envisaged under Sláintecare. If a requirement is established in the future then legislation changes supported by a clinical professional position, development of relevant education and competency standards of practice will also be required.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments regarding progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals.
The National HSCP Office working with senior management in the HSE and in liaison with my Department, is leading a project to progress advanced practice in the Health and Social Care Professions including but not limited to physiotherapists, which encompasses developing an overarching framework incorporating all the key considerations and factors including an agreed definition and approach across the professions, core competencies, a planned approach to meeting educational requirements, governance and regulatory considerations which can inform policy development in this area.
The proposals identified in the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Pre-Budget Submission 2022 will be considered in the context of the framework outlined above.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (216)
David Cullinane
Question:216. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to vaccinations for persons over 50 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59634/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Local Drugs Task Forces
Questions (217)
Joe O'Brien
Question:217. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant community seats on the local and regional drugs task forces nationally; and if he will provide a list of the vacancies per area. [59635/21]
View answerWritten answers
Section IV of the task force handbook sets out the nomination process for members of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces including the community sector. Further information on the handbook is available at www.drugsandalcohol.ie/16412/.
It's not the remit of the Department to gather data on vacant seats in the 24 drug and alcohol task forces.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (218)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:218. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of volunteers working at HSE vaccination and testing centres; if the €7 subsidised meal allowance was withdrawn from these volunteers by the HSE; and the amount the HSE saved from the withdrawal of the allowance. [59653/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.