Seán Sherlock
Question:1875. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the measures that are in place for patients with HSE-provided medical equipment in a situation in which blackouts or brownouts occur in an area. [43426/22]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (1875)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1876, 1877)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1876. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address the shortfall in the availability of the monkeypox vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43445/22]
View answerJim O'Callaghan
Question:1877. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps that he proposes to take to provide reassurance to the public in relation to the shortage of the monkeypox vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1876 and 1877 together.
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. 1877 answered with Question No. 1876.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1878, 1879)
Carol Nolan
Question:1878. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly who are on a waiting list for hip replacements; the average wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43451/22]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:1879. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly who are on a waiting list for knee replacements; the average wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43452/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1878 and 1879 together.
It 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 are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
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 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 data requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly that are on waiting lists for hip & knee replacements is outlined in the attached documents. 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.
|
Total Waiters for an Inpatient Knee Procedure in Laois/Offaly as at 28/07/2022 |
||
|
Date |
Area of Residence |
Total |
|
28/07/2022 |
Laois |
31 |
|
28/07/2022 |
Offaly |
22 |
|
Total Waiters for an Inpatient Hip Procedure in Laois/Offaly as at 28/07/2022 |
||
|
Date |
Area of Residence |
Total |
|
28/07/2022 |
Laois |
27 |
|
Offaly |
26 |
|
Question No. 1879 answered with Question No. 1878.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1880)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1880. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be called for urgent surgery. [43457/22]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (1881)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1881. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the details of the waiting lists for children in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 region to have a dental examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43461/22]
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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1882)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1882. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the plans that he has made to tackle the issue of increased inflationary costs affecting private and voluntary nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43463/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware of the specific challenges faced by the Nursing Home sector related to price inflation and increased energy costs. I have met directly with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes. I updated them in detail on progress being made in relation to this matter. I have also met with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to request that they consider the matter alongside departmental officials. I have visited a number of Nursing Homes to discuss this issue with management of both public and private/voluntary nursing units. It is imperative that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected. I will provide an update to sector representatives as soon as possible.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1883)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1883. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies in the Ballymun healthcare centre; if plans are in place to recruit additional staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43473/22]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1884)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1884. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the Finglas primary healthcare centre; the timeframe for completion of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43474/22]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1885)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:1885. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment to non-HSE and non-section 38 organisation employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43477/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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.
In relation to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above, information will be published shortly for those employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 6 and 7, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages
Questions (1886)
Pat Buckley
Question:1886. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if a service will provide additional hours of care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43483/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (1887)
Matt Carthy
Question:1887. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to the north-east doctor on call services each month in each of the years 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43487/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (1888)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1888. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the core proposals of an organisation (details supplied) are included in budget 2023, with an investment of €4 million to provide for national assessment teams and rehabilitation pathways for those under aged 65 years with an acquired brain injury to move out of nursing homes back into their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43494/22]
View answerWritten answers
At this time, engagement continues between The Department of Health and key stakeholders, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE, in relation to the 2023 Estimates.
These discussions will inform the finalisation of the Estimate for the Health Vote for 2023 over the coming weeks and the final position will be announced in the Budget Communications/speeches on Budget Day (27th Sept 2022).
The delivery of services for people with disabilities is a matter for the HSE. Funding is provided by way of the agreed annual National Service plan.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1889, 1890)
Denise Mitchell
Question:1889. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health when private nursing home staff will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43495/22]
View answerDenise Mitchell
Question:1890. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health when paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43496/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1889 and 1890 together.
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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 non-HSE/non-Section 38 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
In relation to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above, information will be published shortly for those employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 6 and 7, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.
Question No. 1890 answered with Question No. 1889.
Medicinal Products
Questions (1891)
Steven Matthews
Question:1891. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to calls for patients suffering various forms of cancer to have access to a drug (details supplied); if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Dental Services
Questions (1892)
Martin Browne
Question:1892. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time senior dental surgeons for special needs working in CHO areas 3 and 5 in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [43504/22]
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 Strategies
Questions (1893)
Martin Browne
Question:1893. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which the €20 million additional funding for the implementation of the national cancer strategy will be spent in 2022. [43505/22]
View answerWritten answers
The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy in recent years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
The National Cancer Strategy seeks to build on the successes of previous strategies in the areas of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, while also working to maximise the quality of life for patients living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.
New development funding of €20m was provided for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding is being used to support ongoing initiatives and to drive improvements across all stages of the cancer continuum, including to:
- progress cancer prevention initiatives;
- improve performance of Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for breast, lung and prostate cancers. The aim is to see all patients within the agreed KPIs;
- increase the proportion of symptomatic cancers that are diagnosed at early stage disease;
- address the increasing, and more complex, demand for radiation oncology;
- enhance medical oncology services to meet the growing need;
-further centralise cancer surgery to improve patient outcomes; and
- continue the development of survivorship services, including psycho-oncology services, to improve quality of life of those living with and beyond cancer.