Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:705. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16306/22]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (705)
Written 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 Pandemic Supports
Questions (706)
Seán Canney
Question:706. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will engage with unions to finalise the process for the payment of the €1,000 Covid bonus in order that healthcare workers are rewarded without further delay. [16323/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. 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.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly.
Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE. Noting that the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Mental Health Services
Questions (707)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:707. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the rationale for selling rather than renovating Millfield House community mental health residence in Blackpool, Cork; the price paid for the property; the exact placement arrangements for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16326/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (708)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:708. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the HSE of its use of Garnish House to date; and the projected additional cost for the remainder of 2022. [16327/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (709)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:709. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of CHO4 mental health service management staff that were offered priority first dose Covid-19 vaccinations in January 2021 ahead of patients and nursing staff of other health facilities in Cork (details supplied); the name of the person or persons in the HSE that authorised the offering of priority first dose Covid-19 vaccinations to CHO4 mental health service management staff ahead of patients and nursing staff of other facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/22]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (710)
Robert Troy
Question:710. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the €1,000 payment to healthcare workers will be finalised without further delays in the process. [16329/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. 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.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly.
Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE. Noting that the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (711)
Robert Troy
Question:711. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if healthcare workers that were redeployed to intensive care units and theatre during the height of Covid-19 will also qualify for the €1,000 bonus payment announced in January 2022 (details supplied). [16331/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. 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.
This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings, noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings. The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The measure also encompasses those eligible working on site in long term residential care facilities for people with disabilities (inclusive of those facilities whether HSE or section 39). The measure further extends to those equivalent healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices. Arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly.
Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE. Noting that the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Health Services Staff
Questions (712)
Holly Cairns
Question:712. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of dietitians employed by the HSE in each CHO in tabular form. [16335/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (713)
Holly Cairns
Question:713. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric rheumatologists employed by the HSE in each CHO in tabular form. [16336/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (714)
Imelda Munster
Question:714. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting an appointment with a psychologist in adult mental health services, Drogheda; if patients are awaiting an assessment or for specific psychological therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16348/22]
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 Services
Questions (715)
Willie O'Dea
Question:715. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his views on the statement by the Taoiseach that there should be an elective-only hospital facility provided in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16349/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Cross Party Sláintecare Report in 2017 articulated a new vision for healthcare in Ireland, including the provision of elective only hospitals, providing protected capacity for elective care. The “Elective Hospitals Oversight Group”, under the joint governance of the Department of Health and HSE has been guiding the development of the elective hospital proposals, following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code, setting out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects.
The provision of additional protected capacity for elective care is further confirmed by the Government Decision, in December 2021 and subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, on a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy.
This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. The Government decision is very clear on this. No other locations are under active consideration. It is important to note that the locations chosen will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to implement a national elective care programme that will tackle waiting lists on a national basis. This means that the new facilities will be designed to maximise their capacity and in doing so will operate to cover as a wide catchment area as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas including Limerick and neighbouring mid-west counties.
The elective care scope of service will be developed in two phases commencing with day cases, diagnostics, and outpatients and then by in-patient treatment. On this basis, the Elective Care Centres (ECCs) will be designed to provide sufficient capacity to facilitate future phases, including some elective in patient capacity, thereby providing a sustainable and strategic response to cater for the highly dynamic landscape of healthcare policy and practice.
Health Services Staff
Questions (716)
Willie O'Dea
Question:716. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a new child psychiatrist will be appointed to the mid-west area; his plans to deal with the long child psychology waiting lists in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/22]
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 Services
Questions (717)
Richard Bruton
Question:717. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if initiatives are being taken to extend the hours of operation of diagnostic facilities in hospitals in order to cope with the post-Covid-19 surge in needs. [16364/22]
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.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (718)
Carol Nolan
Question:718. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16377/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department actively supports diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Earlier this year the Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group to involve staff to formulate and implement diversity initiatives in our workplace. To support the work of this group, the Irish Centre for Diversity have been successful in a tender to provide one guidance session in April on the development of an EDI Strategy and Action Plan for staff in the Department.
My Department also provides guidance and briefings to our internal Interview boards on diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias awareness and applicable law in respect of non-discrimination.
In addition, my Department has a designated Disability Liaison Officer in place to assist and support staff with disabilities and their line managers by the provision of necessary information and guidance as needed.
In 2019/20, my Department participated in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme, which is a six-month paid programme aimed at providing work experience for graduates with disabilities.
Details of the training courses and programmes on diversity and inclusion related topics are detailed in the following table.
Training courses and programmes on diversity
|
Year |
Training Provided |
Name of Provider/Consultancy |
Cost |
|
2018 |
No ED&I training provided |
||
|
2019 |
Unconscious Bias Awareness Training |
MASF Consulting |
€7,499 |
|
2020 |
No ED&I training provided |
||
|
2021 |
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€525 |
|
Unconscious Bias Training |
Roffey Park |
€550 |
|
|
Disability Awareness |
Ability Focus |
€180 |
|
|
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€175 |
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (719)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:719. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16386/22]
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.
Disease Management
Questions (720)
Paul Murphy
Question:720. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will support the request to establish a working party to investigate the needs of people living with Huntington’s disease and their families and to make recommendations on the actions to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16388/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to a service matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services Staff
Questions (721)
Sorca Clarke
Question:721. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby section 38 funded staff working overnight only get paid the sleepover rate which is the minimum wage even if staff are required to work and be on the floor during those times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16389/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (722)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:722. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish patients suffering from sleep apnoea, by HSE CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16395/22]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (723, 724)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:723. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish patients who are waiting for a sleep disorder screening appointment; the way this has been affected by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16396/22]
View answerJim O'Callaghan
Question:724. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he has a strategy to reduce the sleep disorder screening waiting list; if, and the way the sleep patient waiting lists are addressed in the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan; if, and the way sleep patients are included in the HSE National Service Plan 2022 outpatient targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16397/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together.
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.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 26th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health 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. 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 the Department of Health. 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.
Waiting list reductions and maximum waiting time targets apply to all acute hospital scheduled care active waiting lists. The HSE is engaged with hospital groups in a process to focus on specialties and procedures towards which the waiting list fund needs to be specifically directed to ensure the targets are achieved by year end.
The data requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons on the waiting list for sleep disorder screening was provided to my department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in the attached document. The document outlines the numbers waiting for an Inpatient sleep disorder test by time band as at 24th February 2022, the most recently published waiting list figures.
Total Patients Waiting for an Inpatient Sleep Disorder Test by Wait Time Band as at 22/04/2022
|
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
325 |
390 |
224 |
221 |
113 |
90 |
302 |
1665 |
Question No. 724 answered with Question No. 723.