Written Answers Nos. 1567-1581
1567. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason (details suppled) is waiting on an operation in Cavan General Hospital in the ENT department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17253/23]
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.
1568. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average processing time for HSE pension commencements from claim to final approval by division, in tabular form; the target time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17257/23]
View answerAs this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
1569. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 833 of 14 February 2023, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; the status of the land transfer process; the expected timeline for the completion of the land transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17270/23]
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.
1570. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 834 of 14 February 2023, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway city west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17271/23]
View answerAs 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.
1571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the reopening of the day centre in Áras Mhic Dara in Carraroe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17272/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
1572. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of patients recorded on trolleys at each public hospital in the State in the period from January to March 2023, and for the same period in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17273/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1573. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update and outline his views on the adequacy of existing mental health supports for children in the Louth and east Meath area; if he will identify those supports; if his attention has been drawn to the significant waiting lists for these essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17281/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1574. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to report on the Hello Again World campaign; how this campaign is supporting Covid-19 safety for older and immunocompromised people; the way the campaign's messaging is informing older and immunocompromised people about Covid-19 safety measures they can take while socialising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17293/23]
View answerIreland has transitioned from a focus on regulation and population wide restrictions to a focus on public health advice, personal judgement and personal protective behaviours. As we learn to live with COVID-19, the critical components of our collective and layered response remain. A broad range of public health guidance has been published online to assist the public in assessing and managing the risk of COVID-19 with regard to their personal circumstances. This guidance serves to inform and empower individuals to assess risks and appropriately re-engage with social activity, return to the workplace, and resume other aspects of their lives.
The gov.ie website provides guidance on public health advice in place at present. This guidance is updated regularly and is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3361b-public-health-updates/.
The HSE also has a dedicated webpage on COVID-19, available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ The HSE Live COVID-19 Helpline is also open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm Lo-call 1850 24 1850 or Phone 01 240 8787.
The Department of Health, through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, together with colleagues in the HSE and the National Virus Reference Laboratory, continues to monitor the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 carefully.
Healthy Ireland developed a nationwide campaign, aimed at older people, encouraging them to rebuild their social connections. This campaign was created in response to the increase in loneliness which particularly impacts older people who may not have fully re-integrated into their communities after the pandemic.
Evidence shows loneliness is a significant issue for population health and a number of different studies have linked loneliness to multiple chronic health conditions. Loneliness levels in Ireland are rising, and the pandemic was a major contributory factor.
Loneliness can be detrimental for our physical and mental health, while reconnecting with others has numerous physical and mental health benefits. Post-pandemic, with vaccines and sensible precautions, it is safe for older people to reconnect with the world. To say, “Hello Again World”, make up for lost time and re-establish important connections with their community.
Community Covid-19 Testing centres and the self-referral portal for ordering PCR tests closed on the 30th of March as they have been deemed unnecessary.
The most recent advices regarding Covid-19 precautions are as follows:
• The best way to protect against COVID-19 is to ensure you are up-to-date with your primary and booster vaccines and to continue to follow the public health advice - staying at home when you are sick, wearing your mask, cleaning your hands and coughing or sneezing into elbows.
• All vaccinations can be booked through the HSE website.
• Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or fully resolved – please do not attend any social events, work, school or college if you have symptoms.
• Mask wearing is advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment.
• Individuals who are vulnerable to COVID-19, should be aware of the risk associated with activities they may choose to engage in and take measures to optimally protect themselves. Vulnerable individuals are advised to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as may relate, for example, to social gatherings or other activities and events.
• Continue to practise good hand and respiratory hygiene by washing and sanitising hands regularly and coughing/sneezing into your elbow. Maintain a physical distance where possible.
• Meet up outdoors if possible. When meeting indoors, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and keep windows open if possible.
1577. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/23]
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.
1578. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the strategies in place to address the General Practitioners shortfall in County Tipperary, particularly in light of the impending retirement of certain long-term general practitioners; if he intends to overhaul the present locum system in order to recruit general practitioners and healthcare professionals into Ireland in order for them to assist to stabilise the general practitioners and healthcare systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/23]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,539 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned. As of the start of the month, there are 34 GMS vacancies across the country, approximately 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels. There are two GMS vacancies in County Tipperary, one in Thurles and one in Cahir.
While the HSE provides a contribution towards locum expenses for leave taking purposes to GPs under the GMS contract, as private practitioners, locum cover is arranged by the GP concerned as necessary. The relevant HSE Community Health Organisation will assist a GMS GP in providing locum cover where possible.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The number of doctors entering GP training has increased approximately ten percent year on year from 2019, rising from 193 in 2019 to 258 in 2022, and a further large increase is planned for this year. Following the transfer of responsibility for GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), it is aimed to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures will make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Furthermore, I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which is to commence shortly and will be completed this year. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues around GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a better general practice.
1579. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the replacement general practitioner will start operating in Blarney, County Cork, given the recruitment process has concluded in early March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17309/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1580. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16791/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
