Written Answers Nos. 1074-1093
1074. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to implement all 16 recommendations from the report of the strategic workforce advisory group on home carers and nursing home health care assistants; the timeline that he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54801/22]
View answerAddressing the shortage of care-workers in Ireland is an urgent priority for the Government. To this end, I established the cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group in March 2022 to examine, and formulate recommendations to address, the challenges in front-line carer roles in the home-support and long-term residential care sectors. Working closely with key stakeholders, the Group examined the recruitment, retention, training, career-development, and pay and conditions of care-workers.
The Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Healthcare Assistants was published on 15th October 2022. Providing an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the report presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development, sectoral reform, and monitoring and implementation.
I strongly endorse all of the Group's recommendations and I can confirm that their implementation has commenced. I will be closely monitoring this implementation on an on-going basis to ensure that the recommendations are enacted in full in line with assigned timelines.
1075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the recommendations from the report of the strategic workforce advisory group on home carers and nursing home health care assistants will be included in the updated tender process for homecare, due to be implemented in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54802/22]
View answerI established the cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group in March 2022 to examine, and formulate recommendations to address, the challenges in front-line carer roles in the home-support and long-term residential care sectors.
The Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Healthcare Assistants was published on 15th October 2022. Providing an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the report presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development, sectoral reform, and monitoring and implementation.
I strongly endorse all of the recommendations and can confirm that their implementation has commenced. This will be monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that the recommendations are enacted in full in a timely manner.
Discussions between the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to the tender process for home-support, to be implemented in January 2023, are on-going. The HSE published stage one of its ‘Invitation to Participate’ on eTenders on 1st September 2022 on behalf of Services for Older People, setting 26th September 2022 as the deadline for the receipt of submissions. The evaluation of applications is currently being undertaken, further to which stage two of the process will commence.
While acknowledging that there are costs associated with the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group, it is my expectation that these recommendations will be advanced as relevant through the HSE’s tender process.
1076. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to update the home care tender process; if it is still his intention to issue the invitation to tender towards the end of quarter 3 for implementation on 1 January 2023; if the work of a third party (details supplied) in the strategy development stage has concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54803/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1077. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to the announcement that 15,000 additional monkeypox vaccines have been secured, if he will outline the expected delivery schedule for the 5,000 doses due this year, with the remaining 10,000 doses due next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54805/22]
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 Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been seen in each of the post-acute clinics established under the interim model of care for long-Covid to date in tabular form; the number of patients on a waiting list for each clinic; and the time that each patient has been waiting. [54806/22]
View answer1079. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been seen in each of the long-Covid clinics established under the interim model of care for long-Covid to date in tabular form; the number of patients on a waiting list for each clinic; and the time that each patient has been waiting. [54807/22]
View answer1184. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently being seen in each long-Covid clinic in counties Cork and Dublin. [55250/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1078, 1079 and 1184 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
1080. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the business case for a multidisciplinary clinic for long-Covid in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54808/22]
View answer1226. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that the Mater Hospital long-Covid clinic has stopped seeing new patients in the past week, and will be unable to continue at all without funding and support; if he will ensure that the review of the business case is expedited; if he will confirm the status of the HSE review of the proposal; and when it will be known if funding is to be provided. [55499/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1080 and 1226 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
1081. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to make changes to the medical card application forms to support those with chronic diseases such as arthritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54811/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that medical card provision is based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis.
It should be noted that, under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and, therefore, the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
1082. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a query on behalf of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54812/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1083. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views in relation to the meningitis B vaccine being excluded from the early childhood vaccination programme for children born prior to 2016, and its high cost in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54822/22]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
All children are offered MenB vaccine at 2 and 4 months of age with a booster dose of MenB vaccine given at 12 months. Vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge.
Parents may choose to have their older children vaccinated if they wish. If so, the parents should consult with their GP to arrange its administration on a private basis.
1084. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a new chief pharmaceutical officer to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54823/22]
View answer1085. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health his views on the importance of having a chief pharmaceutical officer to oversee the development of policy and strategy development, national oversight of medicine supply and pharmacy regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54824/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1084 and 1085 together.
The Department of Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the significant contribution made by this sector to patient and public health and wellbeing.
The Department of Health has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff, and they continue to work and engage with, key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to address pharmacy matters in the patient and health system best interest.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.
1086. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a hip replacement surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54838/22]
View answerUnder 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.
1087. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health following an agreement of the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work on the need to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease, if he plans to make Covid-19 an occupational injury in Ireland; the plans that are in place to support those suffering long term effects of Covid which was contracted in the course of their work during the height of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54861/22]
View answerThe EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recently recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in health and social care, however Member States vary in respect of their treatment of Covid in this regard.
I am advised by officials from the Department of Social Protection who operate the national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, that Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and that they do not intend on revising this position.
In Ireland, all civil and public sector employees have access to DPER's Special Leave with Pay re Covid for the required isolation period only (currently 7 days) with effect from 1st July this year.
A temporary Scheme for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection has been introduced for eligible public health sector employees in recognition of the increased level of risk faced by some of our staff in clinically exposed settings. The Scheme is specific to the public health sector only, and will provide paid leave for an additional period to those who faced the highest risks at the most challenging phases of the pandemic.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will have transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
1088. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in an MRI for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54862/22]
View answerUnder 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.
1089. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that funding has not been provided to a person (details supplied) for a ceiling track hoist; when the person can expect to have the hoist installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54867/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities to meet their needs. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stairlift. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that fixed ceiling-track hoists should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants. That Department did not consult with the Department of Health and/or the Health Service Executive at the time, prior to making the decision to remove funding. Engagement is ongoing between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter – with a view to resolving the difficult issues involved as soon as possible and ensuring that people receive the services they require.
Applications to the Health Service Executive for a wide range of aids and appliances - including beds, wheelchairs, mobile hoists, respiratory equipment etc - are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These applications are made under the Community Funded Schemes and are considered by Resource Allocation Groups within each Community Health Organisation. A determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets. These aids and appliances play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. The Community Funded Schemes have not generally funded fixed ceiling-track hoists given the need for structural adaptations necessary to install them and, also, that they had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
I am aware that the unilateral decision to remove funding without ensuring that another Government agency could take over the funding of these items has caused considerable distress to many people who can no longer access a service that they require to meet their health and safety needs. I also understand that the HSE has seen an increase in the number of applications for mobile hoists, but that these may not be as clinically appropriate as fixed ceiling-track hoists in some situations.
I have, therefore, also asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible, on whether an application for a mobile hoist may be clinically appropriate in this case.
1090. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital will be open at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54869/22]
View answer1091. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently delivered at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital; if there are proposals to expand these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54870/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1090 and 1091 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1092. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of staff and their respective titles currently employed at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54871/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1093. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients to date in 2022 that presented at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital who were instructed to attend another service such as an emergency department, before meeting a medical professional at the MIU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54872/22]
View answer1094. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the role of administrative staff at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital; if administrative staff can direct patients to attend another healthcare setting, such as an emergency department, before the patient meets a medical professional at the MIU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54873/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1093 and 1094 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
