Written Answers Nos. 811-825
811. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of individualised family service plans that have been issued and accepted by each individual children’s disability network team by CHO area. [23315/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
812. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to his email response to this Deputy regarding ophthalmic services in University Hospital Limerick (details supplied) if the funding for a Donegal based primary care consultant medical ophthalmologist is ring-fenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23316/22]
View answer813. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is currently only one part-time community ophthalmic physician available in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23317/22]
View answer814. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to return to having three community ophthalmic physicians available in County Donegal as there was previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23318/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 812 to 814, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
815. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the name of the civic society groups and non-Governmental organisations his Department consulted with as part of the recent review of the Revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23320/22]
View answerAs the Deputy’s question relates to the Review carried out by the HSE, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of Covid-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely. For the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, with restrictions eased, the Department is currently reviewing whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the COVID-19 public health emergency period.
At the request of the Department, the HSE conducted a review of the Revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy. The findings of this review are currently being examined as part of a deliberative process. The consideration of appropriate next steps will form part of this process.
It is important to reflect that COVID-19 is still with us and Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance on Managing Risk of Transmission of Respiratory Viruses including COVID-19, continues to advise, amongst other things, to limit footfall in General Practice settings and support telephone consultations where care that meets the needs of the patient can be delivered - this helps to eliminate the risk of transmission of viral infection. As such the arrangements for remote access to this service in the context of COVID-19 remain in place.
816. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is in need of additional home help hours can have their hours reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23324/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
817. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vacant position of public health nurse in the Lucan area has not been filled for some time which is impacting significantly on the population in that area including the lack of check-ups for newborn babies; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
818. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he has examined adjusting or removing the current age restriction on eligibility for reimbursement for Freestyle Libre device for all persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23331/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
819. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the current impasse that seems to be preventing the undertaking of a health technology assessment for the Freestyle Libre device; if not, if a different process will be provided to enable an assessment to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
820. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new facility in Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/22]
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.
821. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing composition of each children's disability network team and the number of vacancies in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23336/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
822. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged over 75 years of age who are on acute hospital waiting lists by speciality by hospital in April 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23337/22]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is responsible for collecting, collating and validating information on persons waiting for public hospital treatment. The National Waiting List Data is published monthly on the NTPF website. The waiting list data for April 2022 is currently being processed by the NTPF and is due for publication on Friday 13th May 2022.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the information requested will not be available until after that date.
823. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons and the number of persons aged over 75 years of age, respectively who presented at an emergency department who spent less than 4 hours waiting for admission by hospital and hospital group in April 2022, in tabular form; the number waiting 4 or more hours but less than 6 hours; the number waiting greater than or equal to 6 hours but less than 12 hours; the number waiting 12 hours or more but less than 24 hours; the numbers waiting greater than or equal to 36 hours and 48 hours; the comparable figures for the same period in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23338/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
824. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average patient experience time to admission for those under 75 and 75+years of age for emergency department attendances for each emergency department for each statutory HSE and public voluntary hospital by hospital group in April 2022, in tabular form; the number of attendances and presentations; the percentage admission rates; the number and percentage of patients admitted with a PET of 6 or less hours, 6-9 hours, 9-12, and 12 or more hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23339/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
825. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of stay for patients admitted for longer than one day via an emergency department or otherwise for each statutory HSE and public voluntary hospital by hospital group in April 2022, in tabular form; the number that stayed longer than 5, 10, and 31 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23340/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
