Written Answers Nos. 669-689
669. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he has received any correspondence from general practitioners expressing concerns of a perceived increase or decrease in cancer diagnosis, late cancer diagnosis or missed cancer diagnosis as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic since he took office; if so, the dates upon which he received the correspondence from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60810/22]
View answerNo correspondence has been received to date by my Department from general practitioners expressing concerns of a perceived increase or decrease in cancer diagnosis, late cancer diagnosis or missed cancer diagnosis as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic since I took office as Minister for Health.
In 2020 and 2021, cancer services continued to be provided in Ireland during a challenging time for health services globally. The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority. Cancer diagnostic and treatment services continued to operate, including breast, lung, and prostate Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for cancer diagnosis.
The NCRI Annual Report for 2022 was published on the 29th of November 2022. The report shows further data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnoses indicates that the pandemic resulted in a 10% reduction in cancer diagnoses (based on all cancers) or 11% (based on microscopically verified cancers) in 2020, compared to what was expected that year.
The Government has allocated increased funding to cancer services in recent years, which was used to maintain services during Covid-19 and to drive improvements. In 2021 the Government allocated €57m to cancer services: €20m in new development funding, €12m for measures against Covid-19, €15m for new cancer drugs, and €10m for cancer screening. In 2022 the Government allocated an additional €20m in new development funding to cancer services.
Funding in recent years is being used to drive improvements in Rapid Access Clinics for the main tumour types, which help patients to be diagnosed and treated at an earlier stage. The National Cancer Control Programme in the HSE launched an Early Diagnosis of Symptomatic Cancer Plan in May of this year, which has the aim of raising awareness of cancer among health practitioners as well as the general population. For anyone who has concerns about cancer, the key message is that they should contact their GP where they can be referred for diagnosis and treatment. For people without symptoms, screening programmes for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer are available free of charge for people who are eligible.
670. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will listen to the call from the trans communities for an informed consent model that GPs lead in local communities; his views on whether the National Gender service, as it currently stands, is unfit for purpose; and his views in relation to same. [60828/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
A model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults was developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The HSE model of care is underpinned by a local response model including general practice, psychology and CAMHS, working with specialist mental health and endocrinology services. Complex cases would be referred onto tertiary specialist care. The model of care is partly implemented within community services. The model of care deals with services for children and adults. Children can be referred to paediatric up until the age of 18 years. An adult service is provided by the national gender service in St Colmcille’s Hospital.
A steering committee which was established to examine the development of the HSE transgender identity services produced a report in 2020. This committee included representatives of all stakeholders, including advocacy representatives, and was chaired by Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain on behalf of the chief clinical officer. The report acknowledged the additional funding made available to develop services in recent years. It also advised on the development of seamless interfaces between agencies providing gender services. The committee agreed a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry in CHO 7 and CHI to develop the service for those aged under 18 (and to replace the current system of psychological support provided by the Tavistock Clinic). This consultant psychiatrist would develop and lead a MDT to support the delivery of gender identity services for those under 18. This position has been advertised twice but is not yet filled.
My colleague, Minister Donnelly has held constructive meetings with both the National Gender Service and Transgender Equality Network Ireland on the matter. It is anticipated that further meetings will be held with other stakeholders to hear their views and proposals.
I believe the development of a service in Ireland for adults, children and young people is essential. It is the priority of the Dept of Health and the HSE to provide a transgender healthcare service that meets the needs of the population
671. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the independently led prescribing audit recommended in the Maskey Report included within its remit children who were prescribed risperidone outside of CAMHS; if not, the avenues that are open to parents who believe their children were overprescribed risperidone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60840/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
672. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be in place in CH09; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60841/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
673. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive a date for cataract surgery (details supplied) at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60844/22]
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.
674. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants who have left posts at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda to date in 2022; the number and nature/discipline of the posts that are currently unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60846/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
678. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60851/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress of introducing a transport support scheme to replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60860/22]
View answerUnder the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of the availability of accessible public transport and is committed to this in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group has been established to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The commitment under Action 104 is to ‘lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and [to] develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources’.
The Working Group will consider proposals to inform the development of a coordinated plan for the enhancement of Government-funded transport and mobility supports available to people with disabilities.
Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following: -
The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's review of active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
The Cost of Disability Study, commissioned by the Department of Social Protection, which will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;
The Department of Finance's review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
682. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of additional in-patient beds provided in each hospital in the South/South West Hospital Group since 27 June 2020; the number of additional day beds provided since 27 June 2020; and the number of additional critical care beds provided since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60903/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
683. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns raised by ambulance drivers in respect of their own health and safety due to challenging rostering of shifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60906/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
684. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when he expects to make an announcement of a new hospital in Galway under the National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy agreed last December by the Government and if such a proposal will include provision for overnight or long stay care. [60907/22]
View answerIn December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
The locations chosen will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to implement a national elective care programme that will tackle waiting lists on a national basis. This means that the new facilities will be designed to maximise their capacity and in doing so will operate to cover as wide a catchment area as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas. Locating the new facilities in Cork, Dublin and Galway will enable the provision of a national service while aiming to maximise the coverage of the Elective Hospitals as far as is reasonably possible. The introduction of this new delivery capability into the Public Healthcare System will benefit the whole population.
Preliminary Project Business Cases have been developed for the new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway and have been subject to detailed internal and external assurance. These will be presented to Government shortly for approval-in-principal at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. Subject to passing through Gate 1, the projects can then move to Gate 2 (detailed project brief and procurement strategy). The Preliminary Project Business Case for Dublin will follow the same process in due course.
The initial phase of elective care reform will be focussed on addressing demand for high volume/low complexity procedures and treatments. The elective care scope of service will therefore commence with day cases, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services. The Elective Hospitals will also be designed to provide sufficient capacity to facilitate future phases, including some elective in-patient capacity. This will provide a sustainable and strategic response to cater for the highly dynamic landscape of healthcare policy and practice.
685. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his views on the necessity for transplant capability to be located in tertiary hospitals on a regional basis so as to offset any requirement to export organs outside the jurisdiction in view of the recent decision regarding the opt out provisions for organ donation. [60908/22]
View answerThe Minister for Health secured Government approval for publication of the Human Tissue Bill on 29 November 2022, and the Bill is expected to be published on the Oireachtas website shortly.
Among other things, the Bill provides, for the first time, a national legislative framework for organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. In doing so, it introduces a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation meaning that when a person dies it is assumed that they would wish to donate their organs after their death unless they have made a statement of objection to donation. However, it is important to stress that family members will always be consulted before any action is taken.
Furthermore, under the legislation, those who object to organ donation, for whatever reason, can record their objection on a new Register that is to be established. The wishes of individuals on the register will be respected in full, and their family will not be approached on the issue of organ donation.
The opt out provisions in the Bill will not give rise to any requirement to export organs nor will they impact, of themselves, on the structure or organisation of transplant services.
686. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team to be set up in CHO 4. [60909/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
687. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of submissions noting concerns that were made to HIQA regarding nursing homes from 2020 to date in 2022, by the type of concern and by county, inclusive of concerns of safeguarding, substandard care, poor communication and visiting. [60914/22]
View answerAs this is a request for information on the volume of services provided by the Health Information and Quality Authority, I have asked HIQA to collate the details sought by the Deputy and I will forward them to him as soon as they are available.
688. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of submissions noting concerns that were made to his Department regarding nursing homes from 2020 to date in 2022, by the type of concern and by county, inclusive of concerns of safeguarding, substandard care, poor communication and visiting. [60915/22]
View answer693. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns his Department received from staff and families with concerns in nursing homes; and the action that was taken. [60920/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 693 together.
I recognise how difficult it has been for the families of nursing home residents during this pandemic, which has presented one of the greatest and most wide-ranging public health challenges internationally in recent history. Throughout the pandemic, as part of the overall national response to COVID-19, there has been a specific and sustained focus on older persons, particularly those resident in nursing homes.
The Health Act 2007, as amended, provides the overarching regulatory framework for the nursing home sector with further detailed requirements set out in Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. Under the Health Act 2007, as amended, and related Regulations, the registered provider is responsible and accountable for the quality of care and safety of residents in nursing homes (designated centres) and all nursing homes are required to have a clear complaints procedure in place. Part 10 of the Care and Welfare Regulations sets out the requirements in this regard. The majority of representations to my Department for the period set out by the Deputy, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, were in relation to restrictions on visitation that had been implemented to protect the residents of nursing homes from COVID-19 infection or were in relation to the service provided by the home. Any complaints of a serious nature are forwarded to HIQA as a matter of course and to the HSE where appropriate.
My Department advised that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) provides a suite of public health guidance, including in relation to visiting to long-term residential care facilities. Throughout the pandemic, the guidance was continuously reviewed as new evidence and data emerged. Furthermore, the visitation policy of each nursing home, aside from periods of national restrictions on public opening, are determined by the person-in-charge. The person-in-charge of the nursing home will be able to provide information on the complaints process in place in the nursing home and assistance on how to make a complaint. If a complainant is unhappy with the response received, he or she can appeal the decision as provided for in the Regulations. The complainant may also decide to submit the issue to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Medical Council, the HSE, the Patient Advocacy Service, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Separately, HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. As a regulator, HIQA has no legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections and this range of information informs a risk-based approach to regulation.
Currently my Department is examining complaints processes across the nursing home sector, including information on best practice, the level of standardisation, and the views of key stakeholders, including residents and families, with a view to determining the need to further develop enablers such as policy, legislative and/or guidance instruments to strengthen and enhance current arrangements.
In tandem with this work, the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS), which currently supports residents in HSE-operated nursing homes in making complaints, will begin its rollout to private nursing homes at the end of 2022. This is in line with a Programme for Government commitment to examine extending the remit of the Patient Advocacy Service to residents of long-term residential care facilities.
689. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of submissions to note concerns that were made to his Department of the confidential recipient regarding HSE nursing homes from 2020 to date in 2022, by the type of concern and by county, inclusive of concerns regarding safeguarding, substandard care, poor communication, and visiting. [60916/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
