Mark Ward
Question:202. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost to fully implement the National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention Psychosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26679/22]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (202)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Self-Harm Prevention
Questions (203)
Mark Ward
Question:203. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to fully implement the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26680/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (204)
Mark Ward
Question:204. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to fully implement the model of care for Mental Health Services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26681/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (205)
Mark Ward
Question:205. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase mental health inpatient bed capacity by 50-beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26682/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (206)
Mark Ward
Question:206. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase funding to homeless mental health services by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26683/22]
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.
Traveller Community
Questions (207)
Mark Ward
Question:207. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to fully implement the recommendations of the Report on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community for each recommendation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26684/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community was published in November, 2021. The report contains 21 recommendations relating to the health needs of Travellers. The report builds on and complements the existing 35 health actions in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NTRIS).
The Programme for Government commits to the publication of national Traveller health action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach. The lead role in developing the action plan rests with the HSE, in conjunction with Traveller organisations. A HSE steering committee, which included representatives of Traveller organisations, has drafted the action plan, to address the specific health needs of Travellers, including physical, mental and social well-being needs. The report of the Joint Committee is a valuable contribution to the development of the plan.
Covid-19 has brought into focus the health inequalities faced by Traveller communities. From the outset of the Covid pandemic, a range of additional measures were put in place by the HSE and local authorities to mitigate the risks faced by the Traveller community. The Traveller health action plan will reflect the lessons from the public health response to Covid-19.
The Department has engaged with the HSE in the drafting of the Traveller Health Action Plan, to ensure that the plan is aligned with the Department's policy priorities to provide better access to health services for socially excluded groups and to address health inequalities, as set out in the Sláintecare implementation strategy and action plan 2021-2023, the Healthy Ireland strategic action plan 2021-2025 and the Statement of Strategy 2021-2023.
The publication and implementation of the Traveller health action plan is a priority for the Department and the HSE in 2022. The Department is fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to support its implementation. The funding required to implement the agreed actions in the Traveller health action plan, including relevant actions from the report of the Joint Committee, will be considered in the context of Estimates 2023.
I look forward to the imminent publication of the Traveller health action plan and to working together with all stakeholders to improve the health experiences and health outcomes for Travellers, in a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable manner.
Departmental Funding
Questions (208)
Mark Ward
Question:208. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase funding for recovery education by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26685/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (209)
Mark Ward
Question:209. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of developing a rural mental health model of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26686/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (210)
Mark Ward
Question:210. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding community mental health services in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26687/22]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (211)
Chris Andrews
Question:211. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if Irishtown Primary Care Centre is carrying out blood tests for attending patients; and if not, the reason for same. [26706/22]
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.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 174.
Health Services
Questions (213)
Claire Kerrane
Question:213. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason that step-down and respite services in County Galway (details supplied) have ceased; the way that he intends to ensure provision of these services in the area remains available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26711/22]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (214)
Michael McNamara
Question:214. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated with an appointment at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26721/22]
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.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (215, 216, 218)
David Cullinane
Question:215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the interdepartmental working groups established under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26730/22]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:216. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the interdepartmental working groups in which his Department participates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26731/22]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the senior official groups in which his Department participates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26733/22]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (217)
David Cullinane
Question:217. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the interdepartmental working groups in which the HSE participates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26732/22]
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 Bodies
Questions (219)
David Cullinane
Question:219. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the senior official groups in which the HSE participates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26734/22]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (220)
Barry Cowen
Question:220. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment for admission to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. [26740/22]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (221)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:221. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason that patients are not been seen in-person in the primary care centre in, Thomastown, County Kilkenny. [26745/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (222)
James Lawless
Question:222. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if respite will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26746/22]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (223)
Michael Moynihan
Question:223. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the age restriction that are in place for the Freestyle Libre glucose monitoring system will be removed to allow access based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26778/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the 2013 Act to have regard to a number of criteria including clinical efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. HSE decisions on which medicines and medical items are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
Currently, Consultant Endocrinologists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients with Type 1 Diabetes, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018. In line with the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults, aged 4 - 21 years. The online application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient who is over 21 years of age.
In order to conduct a value assessment, the HSE requested that NCPE carry out a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on Freestyle Libre. The company, Abbott, were formally notified of this on 13 April 2021. Abbott a scoping meeting with the NCPE in July 2021 and committed to submitting their HTA dossier for end of October 2021. However, on 15 November 2021, Abbott informed the HSE that they would not be submitting the HTA dossier because they did not have the level of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) evidence that they stated was required for a full HTA process. Despite the HSE emphasising the importance of engaging with the HTA process to progress matters, the company have not submitted a HTA dossier to date.
The HSE has written to Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to ask if HIQA can consider a system wide HTA across diabetes care. The HSE await the outcome of this request. In the absence of a full value assessment of the product, the HSE cannot progress matters further at the moment.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (224)
Barry Cowen
Question:224. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when they can expect an appointment with the consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [26780/22]
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (225)
Paul Murphy
Question:225. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of doses of paxlovid that are available for the high-risk population of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26781/22]
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.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (226)
Colm Burke
Question:226. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s work and progress towards implementing Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26782/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s commitment to Sláintecare reform and to ensuring every patient receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time is absolute and unwavering. €1.235 billion was allocated to Sláintecare initiatives in Budget 2021 enabling and supporting major milestones in the implementation of Sláintecare and funding is continuing at historically levels in Budget 2022.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023 was approved by Government in May 2021. This is the second three-year strategy that aims to realise the vision of a universal single-tier health and social care system, where everyone has equitable access to services based on need, and not ability to pay. The Strategy focusses on two Reform Programmes, with eleven projects, for 2021 — 2023: Improving Safe, Timely Access to Care; and Promoting Health & Wellbeing and Addressing Health Inequalities. A mid-year progress report was published in September 2021 and an end-of-year Progress Report was published in February this year.
Implementation continued despite the challenges of the major cyber-attack on our health services and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Substantial key achievements last year and this year to date include approval of the Government’s National Elective Ambulatory Strategy and progressing plans for new elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin; publication of the Business Case for Regional Health Areas to support the alignment of community and hospital services based on defined population need; and mainstreaming innovation through the Sláintecare Integration Fund.
New governance structures have been put in place, including the new Sláintecare Programme Board, co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Department of Health and the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE, to ensure that implementation of Sláintecare is fully embedded and owned across the Department of Health and the HSE.
Work is being finalised on a detailed 2022 Action Plan in order continue to deliver on our Sláintecare commitments this year and this will be published in the near future. Key areas of focus this year will include addressing waiting lists, further developments in shifting care to the Community, further investment in innovation, enhanced capacity and access to care, implementing digital and eHealth solutions in line with Government’s recently published national digital framework “Harnessing Digital”, introducing the Sláintecare Consultant Contract, progressing the National Elective Ambulatory Strategy through the provision of new elective capacity in Cork, Dublin and Galway, and the realignment of acute and community services via Regional Health Areas.