Written Answers Nos. 207-226
207. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the value of stock ordered by the HSE since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic which related to the response to Covid-19 (details supplied); the total value of stock currently in storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18502/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
209. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts his Department or the HSE entered into with hotels, colleges, bed and breakfasts, hostels, convention centres, and accommodation providers for use as self-isolation facilities or field hospitals since the start of the pandemic; if a list of all the facilities will be provided; the length of each contract; the cost of each contract; the number of beds, rooms and units within each facility; and the number of persons that availed of each facility in each month of the operation of each contract. [18504/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
210. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times that ambulances were involved in road traffic collisions in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18505/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional resources will be provided to deal with the unacceptable waiting list for services in counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary care centre (details supplied). [18513/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
213. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary care centre (details supplied). [18514/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
214. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the plans of the HSE for the building on Main Street, Rathcoole, County Dublin that currently hold the Four Districts Day Centre and the site that it sits on; if the attention of the HSE has been drawn to the Specific Local Objective that is attached to the site in the South Dublin County Council County Development Plan and the way in which it intends to use this site in the future; and if the HSE has considered the retention of the centre at this location in view of the fact it is a very accessible location for those in the community who avail of the service. [18520/22]
View answerAs 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.
215. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners accepting new medical card patients in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18521/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
216. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided in relation to the capital proposal from Ballina District Hospital to the HSE in relation to additional beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18523/22]
View answerThank you for and allowing me to provide you with an update in relation to Ballina District Hospital. Two submissions have been received for Ballina District Hospital. Submissions for a 75-bed replacement unit and an interim 30-bed build respectively. At a site visit meeting on 16th February 2022, it was confirmed that the 30-bed build is an enabling project and is required to facilitate the larger development.
Engagements have taken place with the CHO since the February meeting to confirm bed numbers, types and costs for Ballina. An amended proposal has been submitted for consideration at the next National Property Steering Committee meeting taking place on 26th of April 2022.
In the conduct of initial appraisal of proposed projects, submissions must be considered by the HSE’s National Capital & Property Steering Committee. Once a project submission is approved by this Committee, it can then be included for consideration for inclusion in the Capital Plan. All projects being progressed must be compliant with the Public Spending Code (PSC). The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal remains affordable and delivers value for money.
I have asked the HSE for progress on this project to be accelerated and to keep me updated on progress.
217. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on developments at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
218. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of HRT medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18531/22]
View answerAs a result of the increasing prevalence of medicines shortages globally, there has been significant interest at European level in this area, including a task force on medicines availability to identify and address issues linked to the disruption of supplies of medicines. Ireland, through my Department and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, continues to contribute to these efforts at a European level to consider initiatives to minimise the risk and disruption to patient safety and care, and the impact on healthcare professionals, caused by medicine shortages.
In the case of medicines used most often in Ireland, there are typically multiple brands and/or generic medicines available from a range of sources. In the event that supply issues arise for individual medicines, different options, including alternative brands or generic medicines, should be made available to ensure continuity of treatment. If the patient has concerns, they should discuss their treatment and alternative options with their doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. I have no role in this clinical decision-making process. I do expect that pharmacies would ensure the equitable supply of medicines to their customers, within their available stock.
The Government recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women in Ireland today, and work is underway by the Women’s Health Taskforce to drive progress in this area. The Taskforce was convened in September 2019, to improve health outcomes and health experiences for women and girls. Significant activity is currently underway to enhance the supports available to women through the menopause.
On the 10th of September 2021, I announced a commitment to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland (see https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bf7d4-minister-for-health-announces-a-new-approach-to-menopause-care-for-women-in-ireland/).
These clinics will form a core part of a new approach to menopause care for women in Ireland and will be supported by enhanced community and primary care supports as well as the publication of targeted and trusted sources of information for women experiencing menopause.
A dedicated specialist menopause clinic was established in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, in 2021. This clinic is multidisciplinary supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and clinical nurse/midwife specialists. In addition to seeing women who meet the clinical criteria for referral to the service, the clinical team also provides advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care.
219. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing a nursing home regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/22]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established in 2007 as an independent regulatory authority to drive high-quality and safe care for health and social care services in Ireland. Since 2009 the Office of the Chief Inspector within HIQA has been responsible for registering and inspecting older persons' public, voluntary and private residential services, including nursing homes.
220. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the work being done to address younger onset dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
221. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the investment by his Department in dementia research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
222. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the supports available to improve digital literacy among older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/22]
View answerThe National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS) provides a framework to address age-related policy and service delivery across Government and society. The Strategy is intended to promote older people’s health and wellbeing so that older people can continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and family life in their own communities as long as possible. The Strategy highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but rather requires a whole of Government approach to address the factors that affect our ageing citizens.
NPAS has permeated through Government and improving digital literacy amongst older persons is addressed in a number of Government strategies, such as Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, and Literacy for Life, a 10 year Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy. Over the past number of years digital literacy has become increasingly important, and these digital frameworks will include and support the well-being of older persons, the length and breadth of the country.
223. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the efforts by his Department to improve the supports available to provide alternatives to online access to public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18540/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of new public nursing home beds that have been made available in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18545/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible
225. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will establish an age in place support fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18546/22]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has age in place supports in place through the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability.
Social care services for older persons are delivered, as far as possible, in their own homes and within their own communities. These services are provided across a number of settings and are delivered, either directly by the Health Service Executive or through service arrangements with voluntary and private providers. Key services include home supports, day care, intermediate care as well as long stay care when remaining at home is no longer feasible.
226. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for urgent and non-urgent patients that are waiting on an appointment with the child and adolescent mental health services in County Kildare; his plans to improve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18555/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
