Written Answers Nos. 1398-1421
1398. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on locum consultant posts in the health service for each year from 2016 to date, in tabular form; the number of posts to which payments related to in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19425/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.
1399. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of a locum consultant post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19426/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.
1400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that general practitioners providing services under HSE schemes such as the maternity and infant scheme, maintain appropriate insurance that allows them to provide home birth services to all women who opt for this form of delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19431/22]
View answerGPs do not provide intrapartum care, i.e. assistance during labour or at birth. Home birth services are provided under the care of a Self-Employed Community Midwife either on behalf of the HSE or on a private basis.
The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to expectant mothers ordinarily resident in Ireland. This combined medical service is provided by the family GP and a hospital obstetrician and includes a schedule of alternating examinations at the GP’s practice and a maternity unit/hospital, as well as two post-natal visits to the GP.
As GPs are private practitioners, services provided by them and practice nurses are not covered by the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme and instead GPs are required to arrange professional indemnity from private medical indemnity providerse; such arrangements are a matter between the two private parties concerned. I understand that private medical indemnity providers currently do not provide indemnity cover to GPs for services under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme where a patient is opting for a home birth.
Further discussions need to take place with relevant parties to agree national policy on the role of the GPs in relation to homebirths. The HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme envisages that these discussions will commence during the course of 2022 as part of the work in relation to homebirths and the recommendation in the National Maternity Strategy (NMS) regarding a review of the Maternity and Infant Scheme being undertaken and any necessary adaptions made to reflect the Model of Care in the NMS.
1401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of medical consultants employed by the HSE who are permanent, who became permanent as a result of holding locum posts in hospitals for a number of years and who are not allowed to register on the Medical Council specialist register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19432/22]
View answerGiven its statutory functions in relation to consultant appointments, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.
1402. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the total number of medical consultants employed by the HSE who hold permanent posts who are not on the Medical Council specialist register but were appointed and deemed suitably qualified by the Public Appointments Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19433/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.
1403. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his Department will put in place the necessary regulations which will allow the Medical Council to register medical consultants on the specialists register in cases in which these consultants applied for posts advertised by the Public Appointments Commission, went through the full interview process, were deemed to be suitably qualified and were subsequently appointed to permanent posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19434/22]
View answerOfficials from my Department have been actively working with the Medical Council to progress this issue and to ensure that the Council has the capacity to support those doctors wishing to gain registration on the specialist division. Regulations are currently being drafted to commence the relevant section of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 which will facilitate this process. It is expected that these regulations will come into effect on 31 May 2022.
1404. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe for the establishment of strategic implementation groups regarding the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19444/22]
View answerStrategic implementation groups (SIGs) are being established to support the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. These priorities strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
The strategic implementation groups are responsible for driving the implementation of the strategic priorities - developing an action plan, strengthening the links with local services, improving performance and promoting good practice. The groups have an independent chair, who is also a member of the national oversight committee, and a membership comprised of representatives from Government departments and agencies, drug and alcohol taskforces and civil society. They have between 10 and 12 members who reflect the partnership model underlying the national drugs strategy. The groups will operate for four years, until 2025.
The new structures will reflect the partnership approach and broaden and deepen the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy.
The Department is finalising the membership of each group, including representatives of civil society, following a call for expressions of interest. It is expected that the chairs of each group will convene a meeting of their group before the end of May.
I am committed to implementing the strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy in partnership with statutory bodies, civil society organisations and independent expertise.
1405. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason that the HSE orthodontic report 2015 has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19448/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1406. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount that the HSE orthodontic report 2015 has cost the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1407. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will invoke his statutory powers to ensure that the HSE orthodontic training report 2015 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19450/22]
View answerI am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Orthodontic Lookback Review commissioned by the HSE in 2015 following receipt of a ‘statement of concern’ in relation to an orthodontic service serving the Greater Dublin Area between 1999 and 2002. This review was, in effect, a scoping report commissioned to advise the HSE on what actions should be taken to determine if there was a risk of harm to patients in this case.
Since receipt of that report the HSE initiated a comprehensive audit of over 7,500 patient files available from that period. The audit and clinical review of relevant patient files from the period was completed in 2020. The HSE has issued correspondence to all of the patients identified as requiring recall and the process of engagement with these patients is ongoing.
The HSE advises that a draft report has been submitted to the Commissioner, the HSE National Director Community Operations. Once the Commissioner has accepted the report, and patients have been engaged with and provided with a copy, the report will be made available to stakeholders.
Any decision regarding publication is a matter for the HSE.
1408. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric occupational therapists currently allocated to each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19452/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1409. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the reason that gross income as opposed to net income is considered when assessing medical cards for those who are over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19453/22]
View answerMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The HSE assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax; PRSI and the Universal Social Charge (USC) have been deducted. Certain expenses are also taken into account, i.e. mortgage payments, which helps to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.
Regarding persons aged 70 or older, the medical card assessment is based on gross income. This assessment process was introduced for this cohort only, by way of the Health Act 2008, as a means to replace the automatic entitlement to a medical card for people aged 70 years and over. The new gross income arrangements were therefore introduced on that basis and provided for the vast majority of people aged 70 years and over to continue to hold medical cards under the new income thresholds. The weekly gross income thresholds for eligibility to a medical card for those aged 70 and over were increased in November 2020 and are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple.
It should also be noted that persons aged 70 or older may also have their eligibility assessed under the general means tested medical card scheme in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs.
1410. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [19454/22]
View answerUnder 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.
1411. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review charges for service users (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1412. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 415 of 12 July 2018, the status of his plans to roll out electricity subsidies nationally to all COPD patients that are available in certain CHO areas for patients that are using oxygen machines at home for more than 16 hours a day. [19468/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1413. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 15 February 2022, when the Tusla mental health service in Castleblayney, County Monaghan will open to referrals; the way that persons can access this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1414. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on physician associates and the future role he envisages for them in the health service; the number of physician associates employed across statutory and public voluntary hospitals; the salary applicable to such posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/22]
View answerIn 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.
1415. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for cataract surgery on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March, and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19478/22]
View answer1416. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for laparoscopy on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19479/22]
View answer1417. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for cystoscopies on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19480/22]
View answer1418. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for hip replacements on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19481/22]
View answer1419. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for knee replacements on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/22]
View answer1420. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for skin lesion treatment on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022 by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/22]
View answer1421. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for varicose veins treatment by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/22]
View answer1422. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for angiograms by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19485/22]
View answer1423. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for tonsillectomies by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19486/22]
View answer1424. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for laparoscopic cholecystectomy by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19487/22]
View answer1425. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for septoplasties on by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19488/22]
View answer1426. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on acute hospital waiting lists for hysteroscopy by hospital and hospital group on 1 January in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; the number on 1 February, 1 March and 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19489/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1415 to 1426, inclusive, together.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), outlines the number of IPDC patients waiting for the procedures requested by the Deputy, by hospital and hospital group, from the published waiting list figures at the end of each December from 2015 to 2021 and at the end of January, February and March 2022.
Reducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a key commitment of Government. The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th 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 programme, 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.
