Written Answers Nos. 384-405
384. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the measures that he has taken to ensure that the State is prepared for the possibility of monkeypox cases; the role of the Incident Management Team; the steps that he has taken to ensure that vulnerable groups are aware of symptoms and treatment pathways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27155/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 385 answered with Question No. 35.
386. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the interim guidance plan for long-Covid; if they will be allowed to present their data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27157/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I have also received a copy of the data from the person in question and have responded directly on the matter. COVID-19 is a new diseases and information on it, its features, incidence and course are still emerging. My Department and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to ensure care is in place for all who need it.
The HSE has developed and is implementing an interim Model of Care to provide Long COVID services nationally. This builds on existing service provision to further develop the necessary services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. A phased implementation is underway with a focus on establishing, Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics nationally within each Hospital Group as initial priority. This involves expanding the resources at existing clinics where required and development of new clinics in line with the Model of Care.
Anyone concerned about Long COVID is advised to engage with their GP in the first instance.
387. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the 24 additional lactation posts that were announced over a year ago will be filled; the reason that these posts remain unfilled; his plans to review and update the National Breastfeeding Action Plan which was dated up to 2021 and extended to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27158/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
388. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on increasing greater access nationally to see and treat gynaecology clinics, specialist menopause clinics and endometriosis services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27166/22]
View answerThe Department is working with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme to improve access to gynaecology services, through the implementation of the Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care. This centres on the establishment of one-stop “see and treat” ambulatory gynaecology clinics. An ambulatory care model is a more efficient and effective use of resources than the traditional outpatient model and it is also better for the patient as it reduces the requirement for multiple outpatient appointments.
The roll out of the Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care began in 2020, and at present, 9 of these clinics are operational. This includes the new clinics at the Rotunda, Cork, Galway, Letterkenny, Waterford, and Nenagh which are all operational, as well as the expansion of pre-existing ambulatory gynaecology clinics at the Coombe, National Maternity Hospital (NMH), and Mayo. Work is continuing in relation to recruitment, refurbishment and equipping of the remaining ambulatory gynaecology clinics that were funded in 2021.
Building on progress to-date, funding has been provided under Budget 2022 which will facilitate the establishment of additional ambulatory gynaecology clinics at the last six hospital sites. This will bring the total number of these clinics to 20 nationally.
With particular reference to endometriosis, as part of the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, in April 2021, I announced the expansion of the endometriosis service at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) to deliver a specialist endometriosis centre for the management and treatment of all forms of endometriosis, with particular focus on advanced and complex cases for which there had previously been no ready access in Ireland. Building on that work, funding has been provided under Budget 2022, which will enable the expansion of the endometriosis service at TUH as well as the establishment of a new service for more complex endometriosis cases at Cork University Maternity Hospital.
In addition, in April 2022, I announced funding through the Women’s Health Fund for six additional interdisciplinary teams to support holistic treatment of endometriosis within each of the hospital networks.
With regard to menopause, the first of the dedicated specialist menopause clinics opened in the NMH last year. Budget 2022 funding will facilitate the establishment of three additional such clinics, to be located in Cork, Galway and Limerick, as part of the maternity networks in the South-South West, University of Limerick, and Saolta Hospital Groups.
In addition, in April 2022, I announced funding through the Women’s Health Fund for two further specialist menopause clinics to fully support the eastern seaboard and ensure that there is one such clinic in each maternity network. This will support equity of access for women across Ireland and bring the total number of clinics nationally to six.
389. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the continuing worldwide shortage in supply of HRT products; the recent updates that are available from the Health Products Regulatory Authority regarding the restoration of HRT supply lines in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27167/22]
View answerUnfortunately, medicine shortages have become increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade and are a feature of modern health systems around the world. There are many reasons for such shortages including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, logistical/transport issues or product recalls due to potential quality defects.
Medicines shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicines shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicines shortages framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
The HPRA is aware of the current challenges regarding the intermittent supply of some hormone replacement therapies (HRT). The HPRA has had regular and ongoing engagement with suppliers in this regard. The companies that place the products on the market have indicated that the current supply difficulties are due to a significantly increased demand for these medicines in Ireland in recent years. To illustrate, the supply of one range of HRT patches has increased by between 77% and 117%, for the three most-used strengths, compared to 2020. In addition, based on demand in recent months, the company expects a similar increase in the demand for all strengths during 2022. This would mean that the usage of this patch in Ireland would be approximately 4.5-7.5 times higher in 2022 (depending on the strength) compared to 2019.
Based on information provided by companies involved in the recent HRT shortages, we now appear to have entered a stabilisation period in supply. During this stabilisation, it is essential that patients do not seek supplies of medicines over and above their normal requirements as doing so will disrupt existing stock levels and hamper the supply of medicines for others. Following a meeting with key stakeholders involved in the supply of HRT products to the Irish market it was agreed to establish a multistakeholder group to closely monitor the supply of HRT until the issue is fully resolved.
The HPRA publishes a medicinal product shortages list on its website, with the reason for the shortage, the expected dates for the return of supply and in some cases, such as HRT shortages, the HSE’s clinical guidance on the management of patient treatment in response to medicine shortages. The information is made available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they do arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved.
The HPRA will continue to liaise with suppliers of HRT medicines over the coming weeks with a view to securing updates and commitments regarding the restoration of normal supplies for patients as soon as possible.
390. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will implement a review of Ireland's maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27179/22]
View answerA comprehensive review of maternity services was carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority, an independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care in Ireland. In 2018 and 2019, HIQA undertook a monitoring programme of all 19 maternity units/hospitals, against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services. Assessment of services undertaken during the monitoring programme focused on four specific themes within the national standards:
- leadership, governance and management;
- workforce;
- effective care and support; and
- safe care and support.
In 2020, HIQA published an individual report into services at each unit/hospital, along with an overview report into maternity services nationally. That report is largely positive and the finding of high levels of compliance against most of the Standards assessed during the monitoring programme, is particularly welcome. Importantly however, the report identifies a number of areas where work is required to meet the standards. The HSE has done significant work to address the findings of the report to date, including revising its Implementation Plan for the National Maternity Strategy, in the roll out of the Strategy’s model of care and in improved governance of maternity services.
In addition, funding for the development of maternity services has increased significantly, with a total of almost €16 million allocated specifically for the implementation of the Strategy under Budgets 2021 and 2022. This funding is further improving access to specialist services, including obstetric, endocrinology, perinatal pathology, neonatology, and perineal services, as well as further developing community-based midwifery services. It is also supporting the recruitment of additional WTEs into maternity services across the country, including Consultants, Midwifery/Nursing posts, Allied Health workers, Healthcare Assistants and Administrative staff. In line with HIQA's recommendations, this investment is delivering increased choice to women, as well as improving outcomes and experiences for women and babies accessing maternity services.
391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a full medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27181/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
392. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure that occupational therapy is available in all primary care centres in County Cork. [27201/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
393. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address waiting lists for assessments and therapies for the children's disability network teams in the south-west area of County Cork. [27202/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
394. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of home births facilitated by HSE midwives in each CHO annually since 1 January 2015, in tabular form. [27203/22]
View answerAs the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need in each HSE region. [27204/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
396. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members by role currently employed and working on children's disability network teams in each area of CHO4 by team; and the number of vacancies on each team in tabular form. [27205/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
397. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of having a specialist children’s mental health bed within each adult acute psychiatric unit in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27207/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
398. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of occupational therapy vacancies across the HSE services nationally; the breakdown of those occupational therapy vacancies across the different community healthcare divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27208/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
399. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of speech and language therapy vacancies across the HSE services nationally; the breakdown of those speech and language vacancies across the different community healthcare divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27209/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
400. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of physiotherapy vacancies across the HSE services nationally; the breakdown of those physiotherapy vacancies across the different community healthcare divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27210/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
401. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of psychology vacancies across the HSE services nationally; the breakdown of those psychology vacancies across the different community healthcare divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27211/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
402. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of social work vacancies across the HSE services nationally; the breakdown of those social work vacancies across the different community healthcare divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27212/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
403. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has determined the longer-term skills needs of the healthcare sector; the cross-Departmental actions that will be taken to ensure that those identified skills needs are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27213/22]
View answerHealth and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals in Ireland is a top priority for the Government.
In 2021, the Department initiated a project to develop a Health and Social Care Workforce Planning Strategy and Action Plan and Planning Projection Model for Ireland to address the long-term workforce planning needs of the health sector. This work is being undertaken with the support of the Directorate-General for Structure Reform Support (DG Reform of the EU Commission) under the auspices of their Technical Support Instrument (TSI) to provide the technical expertise to deliver on this ambitious project. The project will take 20 months to complete.
AARC Ltd are partnering with Indecon Consultants to deliver the project. Work on the project is progressing and the Department is working with the project team from Indecon Consultants, AARC Consulting and the European Commission to deliver this important work. The Objective of this project is the development of scenario-based projections of health and social care workforce supply and demand which informs a strategy, action plan and set of recommendations for ongoing strategic health and social care workforce planning. The project will provide the necessary tools, processes, and technical capacity to produce rolling health and social care workforce planning action plans and implement targeted policy measures for health and social care workforce reform.
Medical workforce planning and supply and demand analysis is conducted by the National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) Office in HSE. The work of this office addresses future projections for the appropriate staffing of the medical workforce in Ireland. The NDTP Office have published a number of reports to inform long term needs of the medical workforce, this includes the report ‘Demand for Medical Consultants and Specialists to 2028 and the Training Pipeline to Meet Demand - National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP)’. This work informs the actions required to meet the need for adequately trained doctors in Ireland.
Department of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
Ongoing discussions between both Departments are in relation to increasing domestic supply of health and Social Care graduates in the short term, through the immediate provision of additional places, and the longer-term planning being undertaken around future skills needs in context of future demand for health and social care services.
404. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if highly skilled and highly in-demand healthcare professionals across the HSE services and in particular in the child disability network team services are being sought under the current critical shortage are being sought under critical skills employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27214/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
405. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the recommendations that have been made to his Department by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27215/22]
View answerThe Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Irish Government, including SOLAS, on skills needs and labour market issues that impact on enterprise and employment growth.
My Department has not received any recent recommendations made, by this Group, in relation to the skill needs of the health sector, and is not aware of any plans to do so in their future work programme.
