Written Answers Nos. 1658-1677
1658. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent vacant nursing posts in Kerry University Hospital as of 11 January 2023; when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2006/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1659. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultants in emergency medicine who are based in Kerry University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if there are plans to further increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2007/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1660. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for audiology appointments in primary care in community healthcare organisation or CHO 4, by age category and time waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1661. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the backlog in re-registering Irish doctors who seek to return to work in Ireland; and if steps will be taken to urgently clear the backlog in view of the urgent needs at present. [2011/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Medical Council is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland. In order to protect patients, it has a responsibility to ensure that all doctors registered to practise medicine in Ireland meet the requirements to practise, as set out in its legislation.
I am advised that doctors seeking to restore their names to the register following voluntary withdrawal or removal from the register for non-payment of fees, are required to submit an application to restore through their Medical Council online accounts. In support of their applications, doctors need to provide a copy of their current passport and certificates of good standing from all countries in which they hold registration. I understand that doctors generally apply to restore to either the Specialist or the General Divisions of the Register.
In relation to Specialist restoral applications, the processing time is approximately 2- 3 weeks for correctly presented applications. The Council has confirmed that all restoral applications for 2022 are either finalised or undergoing assessment.
In relation to General Division restoral applications, the typical processing time is approximately 3–4 weeks. However, the Council has advised that the current processing time for these applications is 6 weeks due to a substantial increase in the number of restoral applications received. The Medical Council has advised that every effort is being made to expedite these applications and it is expected that turnaround times for these applications will be restored to normal wait times shortly.
1662. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2021/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1663. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he plans to expand access to paxlovid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2052/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1664. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason that intravenous antibiotics cannot be administered in nursing homes and community hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2062/23]
View answerThis is an operational matter and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1665. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the location of the chronic disease ambulatory care hubs in CHO 2; the location of the hubs servicing County Roscommon; when these hubs will become operational; the current status of staff recruitment for such hubs in CHO 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2063/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1666. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent podiatrists working in CHO 2 in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2064/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1667. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital regional rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital; the current status of the design process for the unit; when planning permission will be sought from Roscommon County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2065/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1668. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he intends increasing or providing new rural allowances or other financial incentives for medical professionals to take up posts in rural areas in view of the difficulty in getting medical professionals to locate to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2070/23]
View answerThis proposal is not currently under consideration. There are a range of factors, beyond financial incentives, that can make certain locations more or less attractive than others.
The HSE is focused on making all posts as attractive as possible. In the past number of years it has been developing its ability to attract and retain essential talent to meet the needs of our health service now and in the future. Actions have included increases in the number of permanent contracts offered, more flexible contracts, support services, development of training opportunities, career pathways and offering competitive international relocation packages.
1669. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will consider amending the eligibility criteria for this treatment on the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2066/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
The HSE considers the NCPE assessment, the outputs from commercial engagements, patient interest group submissions, and any other pertinent information in advance of making a reimbursement decision.
The HSE has approved reimbursement for Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen under the community drug schemes from 1st January 2023.
This product is approved for reimbursement on the basis of managed access. Reimbursement under the community drug schemes is for adults prescribed Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, with an initial body mass index of 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk of cardiovascular disease.
The relevant circular (002/23) from the HSE can be accessed at: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-002-23-saxenda.pdf.
1670. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions that are being taking to rectify the areas of non-compliance identified by the Mental Health Commission's report (details supplied) into the child and adolescent mental health service in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2104/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1671. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 508 of 15 November 2022, if he finds it acceptable that the advice contained within the reply was incorrect (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2114/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1672. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 14 December 2022, when both workstreams will be completed; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2116/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1673. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recruitment of the youth mental health lead as announced in budget 2023; when the role is expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2124/23]
View answerThis important new post approved by Government under Budget 2023 is being progressed in the context of finalising the HSE National Service Plan for this year. The new Service Plan is expected to be approved in the near future. I have been assured by the HSE that, following approval of the HSE service Plan 2023, the recruitment process for this post will be expediated as a matter of priority.
1674. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to give full recognition to athletic therapists (details supplied). [2125/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. There are currently registers open for ten professions and CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining professions.
A number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex. In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources in the development of policy for the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future.
1675. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the drug, phesgo, is available to patients in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2130/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1676. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a chief pharmaceutical officer; if his Department is engaging with an organisation (details supplied) regarding this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2138/23]
View answerThe 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.
My Department 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. My officials have met with the Irish Pharmacy Union and afforded them the opportunity to outline their position in relation to such a role. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.
1677. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the efficacy of the new standard operating procedures for assessment of needs since 2020; if this has been reviewed; if new standard operating procedures are being considered; if so, if he will outline these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2149/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
