Written Answers Nos. 505-526
505. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if there is a hospital transfer service in place for elderly persons who are unable to drive to hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62459/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
506. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62460/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
507. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if there are vacant positions for speech and language therapists in counties Sligo or Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62461/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
508. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason there is not a transfer system in place for speech and language therapy staff in the HSE; if this will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62464/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this issue.
509. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish a White Paper on human genomics; the status of the programme for Government commitment on the establishment of a national genomics medicine network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62473/21]
View answerA research paper which considered the potential role of genomic medicine in Ireland and which reviewed genomics strategies in other countries was presented to the Department of Health management board in January 2020. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid reprioritisation of the Department’s activities to manage the health and social care system’s response to the crisis. As a result of this, the matter remains under deliberation by the Department of Health.
In relation to the Programme for Government commitment to establish a National Genetics and Genomics Medicine Network, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is in the process of recruiting a Director the National Genomics and Genetics Medicine Network. Filling this position will facilitate the development of a national strategy in this area.
510. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 10 November 2021, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not all 19 maternity units are offering the 20 week anomaly scan and that this scan is not being offered to women attending University Maternity Hospital, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62475/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
511. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the recent transfer of the Ennis vaccination centre to Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62476/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
512. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when approval will issue for pregnant women to be able to receive their booster Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62481/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
On 25 November the NIAC recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to all pregnant women aged 16 years and older. I have accepted this advice following its endorsement by the Chief Medical Officer and planning to operationalise the recommendation is underway by the HSE.
513. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the EU Digital COVID Certificate will be updated to reflect persons having received their boosters and who will need it for the purpose of travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62482/21]
View answer559. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when updated vaccination certificates will be available to reflect that fact that the booster injection has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62633/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 559 together.
Preparations are underway interdepartmentally with a view to issuing EU Digital COVID Certificates reflecting additional doses. This follows, and is in line with, the Implementing Decision adopted by the Commission on 17 November which lays down the technical specifications relating to additional Covid vaccination doses, and further discussions at EU level. Theses specifications, which support consistent technical implementation for the EU Digital COVID Certificate, are being considered to ensure continued interoperability to support free movement across the EU.
514. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will make the HPV vaccine available free of cost to all persons who would medically benefit from it, particularly students who missed receiving it in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62483/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease.
Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time. In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school. In June 2017, on foot of the NIAC’s recommendation that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school. The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine. The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge. My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future. Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration. This applies to everyone whether or not they have a medical card/GP visit card, as it is outside of the HPV immunisation programme.
My Department has asked the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
If the NIAC conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support providing the HPV vaccine to one or both groups, HIQA will undertake a cost-effectiveness assessment on that basis.
515. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the policy on an issue (details supplied) regarding healthcare assistants and home helps employed through section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62490/21]
View answerThe option to avail of Covid-19 vaccination is open to anyone for whom it is deemed clinically safe and who wishes to receive a vaccination. Ireland has among the highest vaccination rates in the EU, with more than 93% of the eligible population having received a vaccine dose and in excess of 91% having received a full primary vaccination regimen. I am aware of the planned introduction of mandatory vaccination in other countries, and that the issue of mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers has been the subject of preliminary discussion by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). Noting the complexities surrounding the practice, relevant ethical, legal, and practical issues will require thorough examination before any action is considered.
517. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE will recognise ME/CFS as a long-term illness; if his Department and the HSE will review the guidelines on the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in view of the recent report published by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence with updated guidelines on ME/CFS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62498/21]
View answerMyalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy) / Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex debilitating disorder affecting multiple body systems and its pathophysiology is still being investigated. ME/CFS is characterised by severe fatigue accompanied by a range of other symptoms. It is also a fluctuating condition in which a person's symptoms can change unpredictably in nature and severity over time.
As a result, clinical assessment and the design of care plans need to be tailored to the individual patient. In general, these treatments are delivered within the context of primary care by General Practitioners, with referrals into secondary care for specialist interventions in the areas of Neurology, Rheumatology, Pain Specialists, Endocrinology, Immunology, Cardiology, etc. The challenge in relation to ME/CFS is that it does not sit within one specialty, but crosses a number of specialties, with patients attending different Consultants for management of symptoms as they arise. The General Practitioner (GP) is regarded as best placed to refer patients, if appropriate.
The Health Service Executive, on behalf of the State, does operate two schemes which assist citizens with their medication costs. These are the Drugs Payment Scheme and the General Medical Services Scheme.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The maximum payable under the Drugs Payment Scheme will be further reduced to €100 per month from 1 January 2022. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
As this question also relates to a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
518. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the Minister for Social Protection to expand the critical illness protocol to persons diagnosed with ME/CFS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62499/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
519. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the waiting times for behavioural therapy and speech and language therapy for children, by county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62501/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
520. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of persons with a declared disability on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability. [62528/21]
View answerBoard members are not employees of the Department of Health or its aegis bodies therefore the information requested by the Deputy is not collected.
In line with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies annex on Gender Balance, Diversity and Inclusion the board is required to carry out a self-assessment evaluation questionnaire. Included in the self-assessment the board must be satisfied that it adequately recognises the value of differences in its members and group social differences (including disability) to improve the quality of work and decision making on the board.
The following table sets out the number of state boards under the remit of my Department and the maximum number of members on each board. The names of the members are available on www.stateboards.ie.
|
Name Of Board |
Maximum number of Members |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
11 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
12 |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
8 |
|
Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Dental Council |
19 |
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
13 |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
14 |
|
Food Safety Authority Of Ireland |
10 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
33 |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
12 |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
7 |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
9 |
|
Health Research Board |
10 |
|
Health Service Executive |
12 |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
12 |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
7 |
|
Medical Council |
25 |
|
Medical Scientists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Mental Health Commission |
13 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
7 |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
11 |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
13 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board |
9 |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
23 |
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Optical Registration Board |
13 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
21 |
|
Physiotherapists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Podiatrists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
17 |
|
Psychologists Registration Board |
13 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
13 |
|
Social Care Workers Registration Board |
13 |
|
Social Worker's Registration Board |
13 |
|
Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
|
St. James's Hospital Board |
11 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
11 |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
12 |
521. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on outpatient waiting lists, by hospital, in County Cork. [62537/21]
View answer522. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on inpatient waiting lists, by hospital, in County Cork. [62538/21]
View answer523. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on elective procedure waiting lists, by hospital, in County Cork. [62539/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 to 523, inclusive, together.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in as a direct result of the COVID-19. 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.
The current surge in Covid-19 cases has put increasing pressures on hospitals and ICUs. As part of the response to this the HSE has advised all Hospital Groups to take a series of immediate actions which include a period of prioritising unscheduled care, COVID care and time sensitive work, in particular in Model 4 hospitals. This situation is to remain under review.
On the 7th October I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan, to run until December 2021, has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists caused by Covid-19 and the cyber-attack.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (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.
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.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached documents. This information shows the number of patients on outpatient (OPD) waiting lists by hospital in County Cork and the number of patients on inpatient and daycase/elective procedure waiting lists (IPDC) by hospital in County Cork. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
Total number of patients on inpatient waiting lists (IPDC) by hospital in County Cork by Wait Time Band as at 25/11/2021
|
Time band |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
Bantry Hospital |
65 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
79 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
650 |
241 |
158 |
256 |
1,303 |
|
Cork Maternity University Hospital |
233 |
137 |
46 |
185 |
601 |
|
Mallow General Hospital |
134 |
33 |
11 |
14 |
191 |
|
Mercy University Hospital |
748 |
247 |
109 |
231 |
1,336 |
|
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
1,809 |
415 |
207 |
138 |
2,569 |
|
Grand Total |
3,639 |
1,076 |
535 |
831 |
6,079 |
Total number of patients on Outpatient waiting lists (OPD) by hospital in County Cork by Wait Time Band as at 25/11/2021
|
Time band |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
Bantry Hospital |
607 |
289 |
230 |
226 |
1,352 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
14,597 |
7,441 |
4,849 |
10,567 |
37,455 |
|
Cork Maternity University Hospital |
1,481 |
521 |
112 |
19 |
2,133 |
|
Mallow General Hospital |
1,722 |
598 |
312 |
278 |
2911 |
|
Mercy University Hospital |
3,029 |
1,125 |
927 |
2,530 |
7,610 |
|
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
9,658 |
3,743 |
2,339 |
7,525 |
23,262 |
|
Grand Total |
31,094 |
13,717 |
8,769 |
21,145 |
74,723 |
524. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of home care hours; and the number of hours assigned in County Cork by LHO. [62540/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
525. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting home care hours; and the number of hours they are waiting for, in County Cork, by LHO. [62541/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
526. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members, by role, currently employed in, and working on, children’s disability network teams in County Cork, by team, in tabular form. [62542/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
