Thursday, 30 Mar 2023

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (299)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

299. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/23]

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Written 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (300)

Brendan Smith

Question:

300. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a healthcare facility will become operational (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15915/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disease Management

Questions (301)

Brendan Smith

Question:

301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be considered. [15916/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Improving and expanding the care and treatment of patients with rare diseases is a priority for Government. The government has substantially increased funding for new innovative medicines for rare diseases, investing €100 million over the last three Budgets. The Government is also fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland, including at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin.

One of the key ambitions the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, we will continue to support the enhancement of genetic services across the Regional Health Areas (RHAs). This service will be supported by a National Office for Genetics and Genomics, who will work with RHAs to ensure the effective delivery of a national service at a local level.

The Strategy outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. In 2023, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time. The Strategy also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023 I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.

In addition to expanding a broad genetics and genomics service, I have also supported several key measures in rare diseases. My Department has worked with the National Rare Disease Office to facilitate Irish entry into 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases and support an EU Joint Action for the integration of ERNs into the national system. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. The Department has also progressed Irish entry into Horizon Europe Partnerships on Rare Disease and Personalised Medicine. Participation in ERNs and Horizon Europe Partnerships ensure greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing with European partners. Finally, I have recently announced a plan to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan. This Plan will be a key step in progressing an improved overall service for individuals living with a rare disease.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (302)

David Cullinane

Question:

302. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average patient experience time to admission via an emergency department for all patients for January, February, and March for each year 2019-2023, inclusive, state-wide and for each location, in tabular form; the average for all patients; the average for patients aged under 75 years; the average for patients aged 75 years or older; the number and percentage of patients waiting less than the average; and the number and percentage of patients waiting longer than the average. [15926/23]

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Written answers

Written answers

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.

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.

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (312)

David Cullinane

Question:

312. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer-related appointments and procedures which were cancelled in January, February, and March 2023, by hospital, for adults and for children, in tabular form. [15942/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (313)

David Cullinane

Question:

313. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient beds, by bed type, available at each acute hospital for January, February and March for each year 2019-2023, inclusive; and the number of bed days provided. [15943/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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. 314 withdrawn.

Question No. 315 withdrawn.

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (316)

David Cullinane

Question:

316. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on primary care and community healthcare waiting lists, for each care service, for January, February, and March 2019-2023, inclusive in tabular form; the breakdown by length of wait and by age; the numbers waiting for initial assessment, initial therapy/intervention, and follow-up therapy/intervention for each specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15946/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (317)

David Cullinane

Question:

317. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on home support waiting lists for January, February, and March 2019-2023, inclusive in tabular form; and the breakdown by length of wait. [15947/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (318)

David Cullinane

Question:

318. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on CAMHS waiting lists by CHO and length of wait for January, February and March 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [15952/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.