Written Answers Nos. 1062-1082
1062. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 718 of 5 July 2022, the reason that the HSE does not report on the number of patients waiting more than 24, 48, 72, 96 and more than 120 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022, in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38010/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1063. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the format and coding that is used for the reporting of emergency department wait times; the system that is used to record wait times; the reporting mechanism from hospitals to acute operations; the information that is sought by HSE acute operations from hospitals to enable reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38011/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1064. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve on the reporting of the average wait times for patients in emergency times beyond 24 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38012/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1065. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting more than 24 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022 in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38013/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1066. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting more than 48 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022 in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38014/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1067. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting more than 72 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022 in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38015/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1068. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting more than 96 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022 in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38016/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1069. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting more than 120 hours in an emergency department in 2021 and to the end of May 2022 in tabular form broken down by month, by hospital and by those under 65 and over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38017/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1070. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will fund extra neurology nurses at Cork University Hospital (details supplied). [38018/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1071. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health if those employed in the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD are eligible for the Covid recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38025/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
1072. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the paediatric endocrinology department in a hospital (details supplied) treats gender dysphoric patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38029/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1073. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the public hospitals which treat patients under the age of 18 years for gender dysphoria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38030/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1074. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting times for the main surgical procedures carried out at Cappagh Hospital, Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times for procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38034/22]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
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.
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.
The NTPF have advised my department that they have approved 13 IPDC orthopaedic initiatives and 1 outpatient orthopaedics initiative for funding so far in 2022 for the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, which will facilitate treatment for 1,459 patients on orthopaedics waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, The NTPF only collects data on patients currently on the waiting list. The time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. As a result, the health system does not have the data necessary to calculate true average wait times.
1075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to introducing routine vasa previa screening in public hospitals that provide maternity services; the reason that this type of screening is not recommended in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38035/22]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, such as screening for vasa previa, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) which was established in 2019. This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
The Committee's first Annual Call for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a significant response with a total of 53 submissions received, including submissions relating to antenatal screening. Submissions were received from various sources and are now undergoing consideration by the committee. The NSAC intends to publish its full work programme later this year once it has considered all proposals submitted.
1076. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when he will immediately publish the Action Plan for the Disability Capacity Review; and if he will include its measures in his Department’s budgetary plan for 2023. [38037/22]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised.
1077. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans to progress the provision of additional beds at a hospital (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the clear need for a positive decision in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38044/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1078. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the original budget for the construction and operation of facility (details supplied) that was due to open in December 2021; the final cost of the construction and operation of the facility that is now due to open in Quarter 2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38055/22]
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.
1079. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents admitted to adult psychiatric units by year, age and hospital from 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38067/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1080. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds in each public hospital by year, age and hospital from 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38068/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1081. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address the shortage of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds in public hospitals; the number of new beds that will be delivered in 2022 by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38069/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1082. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out two cycles of publicly funded IVF treatment per person or family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38074/22]
View answer1083. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out three cycles of publicly funded IVF treatment per person or family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38075/22]
View answer1084. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out four cycles of publicly funded IVF treatment per person or family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38076/22]
View answer1085. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he plans introduce publicly funded IVF treatment; if so, the timeframe for the introduction of same; the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38077/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1082 to 1085, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware from my recent previous responses on this topic, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government.
The model of care for infertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e. GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e. Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e. IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out, envisaged before the end of this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Substantial planning, development and policy work is required to establish the scope, design and requirements for this component of the model of care. At this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the model of care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications is required. This work will also need to be informed by the final Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act, the progress of this Bill – which has passed Second Stage in the Dáil in March – and associated regulations that will be developed following the enactment of this legislation.
My officials are continuing engagement with the HSE in relation to the necessary programmes of work required to further advance consideration of the issues arising for commencing Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care. This work will also include an examination of the costs associated with providing AHR services, including IVF, which will then allow us to model options and associated costings in more detail.
