Tuesday, 15 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 672-690

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (672)

Matt Carthy

Question:

672. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a full assessment of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7552/22]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (673)

Matt Carthy

Question:

673. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive access to occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7553/22]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (674)

Neale Richmond

Question:

674. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if home carers are included in the Covid-19 bonus payment for frontline workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7554/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.

The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.

Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.

The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.

The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.

I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining our health service but did not work in such exposed areas. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which frontline healthcare workers faced.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (675)

David Cullinane

Question:

675. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on diagnostic waiting lists, by type and hospital, in tabular form. [7592/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE advises that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise.

The latest available diagnostic waiting list data is outlined in the documents attached, which set out waiting list data for Quarter 4 2021 for CT, MRI and Ultrasound. The HSE advises that, at present, further diagnostic scans (including cholangiopancreatography, electroencephalogram, angiogram, and bone scan), are not yet captured as part of this project.

The information that is currently being collected is presently being tested and validated at hospital, hospital group and national level and as such should not be used/reported without the context of the caveats set out below:

- Data is subject to inclusions and exclusions which are documented in the Data Profile Document. This document is available from Acute Operations and has been circulated to all Hospital Groups.

- Data contains urgent, routine and surveillance/planned activity which is currently not broken down in detail, as such this includes surveillance/planned activity which may not be exceeding planned date.

- Data is still undergoing validation at Hospital and Hospital Group level.

- Data does not take into account local nuances at site level (Site profile developed to support understanding of same).

- The purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MRI and Ultrasound.

- This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.

In Q4 2021, there were a total of 226,966 patients reported on the waiting list from all sites, this represents all outpatients waiting, urgent, semi urgent, routine and planned/surveillance (where diagnostic access is planned at particular time intervals).

NPTF

Pharmacy Services

Questions (676, 677)

David Cullinane

Question:

676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason he has not sanctioned the implementation of the hospital pharmacy agreement between a union (details supplied) and the HSE; the reason his Department has instructed the HSE not to attend relevant Labour Court proceedings; his views on whether this agreement will not result in cost savings as contended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7595/22]

David Cullinane

Question:

677. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the hospital pharmacy agreement which is subject to industrial action on 16 February 2022; if his Department and the HSE support the implementation of the agreement; the engagement which his Department and the HSE have had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7596/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 677 together.

As you may be aware, the current Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining. The purpose of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund process is to deal with outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations, awards and claims within the terms of the Fund and within the Exchequer funding limit in place.

Health Management remains committed to implementing the 2020 Pharmacist Agreement, as agreed through the WRC process. However, when Building Momentum came into effect in 2021, all outstanding agreements became subject to Sectoral Bargaining. Failure to work through the mechanisms of Building Momentum would undermine the PSA and would be unfair to other unions who have adhered to the terms of the agreement.

Building Momentum, to which Fórsa are signatory, outlines that all parties are committed to participation in the dispute resolution procedures set out in the agreement. All parties encompassed by Building Momentum have also agreed that, notwithstanding their continuing right to access the Labour Court/Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme, this shall only be utilised after the dispute resolution processes outlined in the Agreement, have been fully exhausted.

The delivery of industrial peace is an essential requirement of this Agreement. Accordingly, all forms of industrial action are precluded.

The Department of Health and the HSE remain open to engagement with Fórsa but are compelled to resolve any disputes in compliance with the provisions allowed for under Building Momentum.

Question No. 677 answered with Question No. 676.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (678)

Michael McNamara

Question:

678. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (679)

Ged Nash

Question:

679. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding in budget 2023 to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/22]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (680)

Ged Nash

Question:

680. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/22]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (681)

Ged Nash

Question:

681. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system that were submitted by individual hospitals for persons with diabetes over 21 years of age; the number that were approved; the number that were refused in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; if there are plans to remove the age restriction on the device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7602/22]

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

Care Services

Questions (682)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

682. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 28 September 2021, the status of support networks for a person (details supplied). [7604/22]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (683)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

683. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if risk assessments have been carried out regarding the wearing of masks in schools by students. [7608/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government, at its meeting on 30 November, agreed that face masks/coverings be recommended for those aged 9 and over on public transport, in retail and other indoor public settings as was required for those aged 13 and over, with exemptions as appropriate. Face masks/coverings are also recommended for children in third class and above in primary school and guidance has issued to schools from the Department of Education on this. This guidance can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3c55-department-of-education-guidance-on-the-use-of-face-coverings-in-primary-schools/

The Government decision is based on a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) following its meeting on 25 November. As the Deputy will be aware, this issue has been subject to ongoing review by the NPHET and was considered again at this meeting in light of the sharp rise in the incidence in the 9 to 11 year old age-group in November.

As part of its deliberations, the NPHET considered previous advice from HIQA on the issue, the detailed epidemiological situation in children, international guidance, international practice, the evidence in relation to the use of face coverings in children, and the potential benefits and harms from any recommendations. The NPHET recognised the very significant impacts previous social and economic restrictions have had on families and children to date and also reiterated that a core priority of the NPHET throughout the pandemic has been to protect the continued operation of the education and childcare sector, recognising its importance to the health and development of children. Given the very high incidence in children at that time, the NPHET advised that measures should be taken to interrupt chains of transmission to protect those core priorities including the recommendation in relation to mask wearing, to support families and young children in staying safe over the coming period with a view to reducing risk of disease transmission.

Both the NPHET and Government were clear that this measure was being introduced as a temporary, interim measure and would be reviewed in mid-February 2022.

More recently, the NPHET met on 20 January and provided advice to the government stating that while it was safe for the majority of public health measures to be lifted, the requirements for mask wearing in all settings where currently regulated for under Statutory Instrument and protective measures in schools, early learning and care facilities should be retained until 28 February. This advice was accepted by the Government.

The NPHET will meet again on 17 February and will provide further advice to the Government in relation to remaining public health measures. This will include advice in relation to mask wearing for children aged 9 to 12.

Dental Services

Questions (684)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

684. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that orthodontic treatment is provided urgently for a person (details supplied) who has been on the waiting list since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7610/22]

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. 685 answered with Question No. 666.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (686)

David Cullinane

Question:

686. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a surgical procedure across each specialty in six-month intervals, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7620/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Delta and Omicron variants.

The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) 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 2022 waiting list action plan, which I will bring to Government shortly, builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly. This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. It has produced a comprehensive 2022 waiting list action plan which will set out high-level targets for waiting list improvement including dedicated funding for service reform, patient pathway improvement, and important significant additionality to substantially reduce the backlog of patients waiting. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.

This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual Waiting List plan, which is currently under development in my Department. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.

The data requested by the Deputy concerning the number of persons waiting for a surgical procedure across each specialty is outlined in the attached document. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.

Total Waiters for an Inpatient Procedure by Specialty by Time Band as at 23/12/2021

Inpatient Procedure	0-6 Months	6-12 Months	12-18 Months	18+ Months	Grand Total
Anaesthetics	261	25			286
Breast Surgery	100	21	14	38	173
Cardiology	2414	626	270	209	3519
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery	339	46	21	33	439
Clinical Immunology	322	36	5	27	390
Dental Surgery	167	68	46	69	350
Dermatology	941	126	43	70	1180
Endocrinology	18		17	14	49
Gastro-Enterology	7592	2158	808	618	11176
Gastro-Intestinal Surgery	505	211	92	195	1003
General Medicine	2157	488	231	303	3179
General Surgery	16835	3863	1950	2852	25500
Geriatric Medicine	8				8
Gynaecology	3430	903	524	574	5431
Haematology	29				29
Hepato-Biliary Surgery	27	10		35	72
Immunology	60	41	6		107
Maxillo-Facial	395	146	71	219	831
Nephrology	37	7			44
Neurology	221	32	11	91	355
Neurosurgery	353	147	25	14	539
Oncology	56				56
Ophthalmology	5817	1095	517	795	8224
Oral Surgery	176	122	75	96	469
Orthopaedics	6153	1503	927	1563	10146
Otolaryngology (ENT)	2629	477	274	571	3951
Paed Cardiology	119	28	19	28	194
Paed Endocrinology	14	6	9	18	47
Paed Gastro-Enterol	295	90	34	42	461
Paed Metabolic Medicine	13				13
Paed Orthopaedic	524	220	151	298	1193
Paediatric Dermatology	29	21	10		60
Paediatric ENT	263	90	85	117	555
Paediatric Infectious Diseases	5				5
Paediatric Neurology	7	5		10	22
Paediatric Neurosurgery	20	8			28
Paediatric Radiology	14	12	9	23	58
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine	491	334	163	277	1265
Paediatric Surgery	385	97	49	42	573
Paediatric Urology	120	90	58	107	375
Paediatrics	91	22	13	20	146
Pain Relief	2731	842	677	607	4857
Plastic Surgery	2692	772	450	855	4769
Radiology	30	10	10		50
Respiratory Medicine	404	47	21	83	555
Rheumatology	229	47	34	42	352
Small Volume Specialties	14	19	18	24	75
Urology	5092	1130	714	1224	8160
Vascular Surgery	820	176	102	191	1289
Grand Total	65444	16217	8553	12394	102608

Hospital Procedures

Questions (687)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

687. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients subdivided into persons under 65 years of age and persons over 65 years of age who were treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, by county and by CHO; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7624/22]

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.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (688)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

688. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients subdivided into persons under 65 years of age and persons over 65 years of age who were treated for foot ulcerations which led to a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022 by county, by CHO and the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/22]

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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (689)

James Lawless

Question:

689. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the use of a drug (details supplied) to help with a condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.

Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost-effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.

Modified-release Hydrocortisone (Plenadren) is licensed for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency in Ireland and throughout the EU since 2011.

The HSE has advised that it received a pricing and reimbursement application for modified-release Hydrocortisone in 2016 for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency in adults. On 9 April 2019, following the assessment and deliberative process, the HSE determined that the application for modified-release Hyrdocortisone was refused, pursuant to Section 18 of the 2013 Act.

The HSE has not received a new pricing and reimbursement application for modified-release Hydrocortisone from the pharmaceutical company to date. If the company decides to submit a new pricing and reimbursement application, the HSE will assess this in accordance with the 2013 Act.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (690)

Joan Collins

Question:

690. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be issued their EU digital Covid certificate. [7630/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Digital COVID Certificates for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are now being issued in Ireland. The certificates are being issued via email or print (upon request) to individuals who have already received their booster vaccination.

Individuals who received all or part of their primary vaccination course aboard may be required to provide additional documentation in order to complete the required dataset. The Digital COVID Certificate for the primary course of vaccination has to date been issued by the EU country where the final dose in the series was administered.

The DCC helpline has recently received a significant volume of calls following the release of the booster certificates and wait times may currently vary. A dedicated team is manually processing all outstanding DCC cases with urgency to ensure the remaining DCCs are issued in a timely manner.