Written Answers Nos. 1258-1277
1260. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time equivalent radiation therapists working in the public health system to provide radiation therapy to cancer patients at the end of each of the years 2016 to 2022. [12669/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1261. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of full-time equivalent radiation therapists working in each of the public hospitals at the end of each of the years 2013 to 2022, and as of March 2023. [12670/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1262. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid to the private healthcare sector to provide radiation therapy to cancer patients from the public health system, via the National Treatment Purchase Fund or other payment mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12671/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of the Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when the final reports will be published; if he has received all reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12674/23]
View answerThe Minister can confirm that he has received the Report of the Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
The Report assesses whether services mandated under the Act are being delivered and makes certain recommendations in relation to service improvement.
The Minister will review this comprehensive Report and make the necessary arrangements to submit it for the consideration of the Government.
1264. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will retain remote consultations for abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12675/23]
View answerAs part of the Government’s efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of Covid-19, the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow for termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, as restrictions began to ease, it became timely to revisit the Model of Care to review its operation and consider whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the Covid-19 public health emergency period.
At the request of the Department, the HSE conducted a review of the Revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy.
The review of the Model of Care for the Termination of Pregnancy service found that the majority of providers within primary care feel that a blend of remote and in-person care is optional.
In-person consultations allow provision of personalised care and allow potential problems to be identified and mitigated, while remote provision improves access for many women and addresses geographical and logistical barriers. It also alleviates some of the difficulty associated with the mandatory three-day waiting period.
The review found that the provision of a remote consultation as part of the termination service is safe, effective, and acceptable to both service users and providers.
The findings of this review are currently being examined as part of a deliberate process. The consideration of appropriate next steps will form part of this process.
1265. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the projected timeframe in which a system will be in place to facilitate processing of the pandemic special recognition payment to those who worked with a company that has since ceased trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1266. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate versatis patches on the drugs payment scheme; and if he is reviewing the decision to withdraw them from the scheme. [12688/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE advise that the following pain relief patches are currently available on the reimbursement list:
- Durogesic DTrans Transdermal patches
- Fental Matrix Transdermal patches
- Matrifen Transdermal patches
- Fentadur Transdermal patches
- Butrans Transdermal patches
- Versatis plasters (subject to a managed access system, indicated for post-herpetic neuralgia)
Patients prescribed Versatis plasters are reviewed by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) for reimbursement approval, on foot of an application by the patient’s clinician, through the HSE online system.
In exceptional circumstances, Versatis plasters may be approved for supply for unlicensed uses. If an application is refused, the clinician may make an appeal to the MMP by email, making a clear clinical case for the patient.
This process ensures that post-shingles patients, and other patients as clinically appropriate, can continue to have this specific treatment.
1267. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 15 September 2022, if he will provide an update on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12691/23]
View answerI am concerned at the situation that has arisen for patients of the orthodontic practice in Oranmore and their families.
Since this situation first came to the attention of my Department, my officials have been working with stakeholders seeking assurances that everything possible is being done by relevant parties to resolve the concerns of patients affected. I met with patient representatives and local representatives last September to hear their specific concerns and consider what can support could be put in place for these patients.
In October, the Dental Council issued a communication to the patients of the practice detailing the undertakings that had been given at that point to the High Court by the registrant, a Specialist Orthodontist. These undertakings set out the process by which patients, who are not already in receipt of care, could be referred to an alternative specialist orthodontist/s, with patient consent. While the High Court process is continuing, this was a very positive development to facilitate the process to ensure continuity of care for patients. I am hopeful that this process will ensure that any remaining patients are referred so that their orthodontic treatment plans can continue.
The Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI) is also communicating with its members in an effort support the continuity of care.
Unfortunately, the issue of refunds for treatment not received is a private matter and can only be resolved between the patient and the dentist. Neither the Dental Council as the professional regulator, the Department of Health or the Minister for Health have the power to intervene in this matter regarding refunds.
I appreciate that parents have felt that this process is taking time and are very concerned. In view of this, my officials will continue to work with stakeholders to support a transfer of care solution for patients.
1268. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the ten highest risks on the risk register maintained by each of the eight hospital groups in respect of each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12708/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1269. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in clear detail the number of whole-time equivalents or redirected personnel who have been recruited as part of the University Hospital Waterford 24-person additional cardiac care team; if he will outline the core responsibilities that each of the 24 is tasked with in terms of deployment to the cardiac suite in Waterford; if these are recruited personnel now in place and available for duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12709/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1270. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an opening date for the beginning of cardiac interventional procedures in the new cardiac cath lab in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12710/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1271. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the additional service capacity that has been provided by way of additional dedicated day ward beds to the cardiac suite, with respect to the new cardiac cath lab in Waterford; what weekly service plan is being assigned in terms of this bed allocation availability; where in the hospital these beds are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12711/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1272. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the expected termination date of an agreement (details supplied); the return date of this three-day diagnostic list activity to UHW cardiac suite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12712/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1273. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on an angiogram activity list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12713/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1274. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a firm date for an expansion to a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12714/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1275. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12715/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1276. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12716/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1277. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 15 February 2023, if the HSE plans to provide specifically 'continuing care' mental health placements as well as shorter-term rehabilitation placements in a property it is purchasing in Midleton, County Cork to accommodate three people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12731/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
