Seán Sherlock
Question:1583. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) was waiting for a call back for an out-of-hours service for over ten hours. [17329/23]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (1583)
Written answers
As this is a service matter and the Health Service Executive have a service level agreement in place with SouthDoc, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1584 answered with Question No. 1415.
Health Services
Questions (1585)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:1585. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for genetic testing services for rare diseases in Ireland; and the measures his Department plans to take to improve access and speed of results for patients in need of genetic testing services. [17342/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. 1586 answered with Question No. 1542.
Health Services
Questions (1587)
Holly Cairns
Question:1587. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on extending the costs covered by the HSE administered EU treatment abroad scheme to incorporate expenses incurred by individuals who have to seek treatment which lasts over several weeks, especially accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17374/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations, does not include a provision for travel and subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments.
However the HSE, subject to available funding, under the Treatment Abroad Scheme Travel Policy, may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate or where the referring consultant identifies a necessity. The HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme National Travel Policy was implemented to standardise and provide equity to the provision of entitlements relating to travel expenses. It does not include provision for expenses other than air/sea fares.
However, patients who experience difficulty funding any additional costs may apply to the Department of Social Protection for assistance as an exceptional needs payment. It should be noted that, in general, patients do not incur subsistence costs when undergoing treatment abroad as such costs are included in the cost of the care that the patient is receiving.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (1588)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1588. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 28 February 2023, if a reply will issue to the question (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17375/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical aids under the Community Funded Schemes to eligible persons (as set out in the Health Act 1970) free of charge following assessment by a relevant health professional.
The HSE oversees the provision and supply of incontinence wear products for eligible persons across Ireland. Provision is based on an appropriate clinical assessment and a determination of the most appropriate products that will meet the individual’s needs. The provision of clinically appropriate incontinence wear products to eligible persons is operated by each Community Healthcare Organisation under a national tender arrangement.
As part of the National Service Improvement Programme for the Community Funded Schemes, the HSE have completed and implemented national guidelines in respect of incontinence wear products. Governance arrangements have been strengthened through the implementation of an integrated electronic management system to support the ordering, supply, and distribution of incontinence wear products across all healthcare settings, including the home delivery service.
Care for Nursing Home residents including those in private facilities like the one referred to by the Deputy can be covered under The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person
Bed and board
Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living
Laundry service
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS and for this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS. Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges or about the services provided should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. Where an individual is not satisfied with the response they receive, they may wish to take their complaint further by seeking a review from the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaint’s procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
The Ombudsman may be contacted at: Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Tel. (01) 639 5600 / Lo-call (1890) 22 30 30 and via e-mail at ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie (website is www.ombudsman.ie).
Hospice Services
Questions (1589)
Gerald Nash
Question:1589. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to provide a hospice facility at a location (details supplied); if a capital allocation has been made to the project; if he will confirm a timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17378/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (1590)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:1590. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of adult ADHD services in CHO4 which were intended to be in place by the end of 2022; and if he can confirm when these services will be in place and available. [17379/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (1591)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:1591. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health when the long-term illness scheme will be reviewed under the Sláintecare implementation strategy. [17380/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
My Department is examining all of the issues around the scope of the Scheme.
However, it is also important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
The significant investment in Budget 2023 will facilitate better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on everyone.
In 2023 this will mean:
an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income
all public in-patient hospital charges will be abolished
an extension of free contraception to 26-year-old women since 1 Jan 2023, and further extension to 27-30 years old women from 1 September 2023.
These measures will continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Health Services
Questions (1592)
Niall Collins
Question:1592. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to address an issue and speed up appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17381/23]
View answerWritten answers
At present, the HSE Public Dental Service provides a screening and necessary treatment for children approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth class. Emergency care is provided for children of all ages up to 16 and for those with complex and additional needs.
There are challenges in the provision of oral healthcare services and patients of all ages are waiting longer than they should have to, to access care. I am responding to this by an unprecedented allocation of an additional €15 million in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a one-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including to address backlogs in the targeted primary school programme.
In the longer term, the Government recognises that substantive reform of oral healthcare services is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The Policy will support the provision of all levels of care, by appropriate healthcare professionals and in the most suitable settings, to all children and adults regardless of age. The Policy fundamentally aspires that all Irish people will have their own ‘dental home’ where they build a life-long relationship with a local dental practice or practices of their choosing for continuity of care from birth to old age, reflecting how services are provided in general medical practice. For the majority of the population, this ‘dental home’ will be a local general dental practitioner. General dental practices who participate will have a State contract reflecting how general medical services provide care for children. Therefore, parents will be able to choose where and when to bring their child to access crucial, prevention-focused oral healthcare.
€4.75m has been allocated in Budget 2023, as part of an unprecedented additional allocation of €15m for oral healthcare services in 2023, for the development and roll-out of these comprehensive oral healthcare packages to the first cohort of children, aged from birth to 7 years.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1593)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1593. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) remains waiting for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17396/23]
View answerWritten 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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (1594)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:1594. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of reports of a market shortage of a semagluetide under a brand (details supplied); if he is aware of the causes of any shortage; and the measures his Department is taking to remediate the situation. [17397/23]
View answerWritten answers
Shortages of the diabetes medicine Ozempic are linked to the increased demand which has been attributed to the off-label use of the product to treat obesity.
Novo Nordisk, the marketing authorisation holder for Ozempic, has notified the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) of intermittent supply issues with Ozempic products due to increased global demand. The company anticipates that intermittent supply will continue throughout 2023. Similar supply constraints are being experienced in other EU countries.
Novo Nordisk has implemented monthly allocations to help ensure continuity of supply and equitable distribution of Ozempic stock to Irish patients. The company has issued letters to relevant stakeholders, including healthcare professionals (attached), to ensure they are aware of this supply issue and its management.
Information relating to medicines shortages, including particular information relating to Ozempic, can be found on the HPRA's website (Medicines Shortages (hpra.ie). Information on shortages is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved.
Hospital Services
Questions (1595)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1595. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline the immediate plans from Government to provide additional appropriate resources to address the extreme bed pressures in St. John's Ward in Crumlin Children's Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17407/23]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the development of St John’s in-patient ward, a new procedure room is currently under construction on site to allow patients to have their intrathecal therapy on the ward rather than in operating theatres. This will increase direct nursing care to the patients in the ward.
In order to address nurse staffing and related bed capacity issues across the HSE, my Department is heavily invested in the ongoing education of healthcare staff to support recruitment and retention. Data from Health in Ireland Key Trends 2022 (DOH 2022) shows that students graduating as both undergraduate and postgraduate in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing and midwifery increased consistently between 2014 and 2020, with the total number of students graduating increasing by 30% (from 4,841 to 6,264). Out of the total 6,264 graduates in 2020, 59.7% were from nursing and midwifery.
Health and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a top priority. In addition, the HSE has been engaging in a programme of work to attract essential talent, to meet the needs of our health service now and in the future. Over the past couple of years, the HSE has worked in partnership with service areas to enhance recruitment capability across our health service. All nursing and midwifery graduates are being offered permanent contracts in our health service.
As well as this, the HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23 was published in October 2022. The Plan supported acute and community services this winter to respond to anticipated high levels of emergency attendances and admissions across the acute sector, long waiting times in EDs, and high occupancy rates in acute hospital settings. €169 million was allocated to ensure the implementation of this plan.
The HSE Winter Plan included a substantial investment in Our Lady's Children Hospital Crumlin and allocated funding for the recruitment of 16 new staff members (or whole time equivalents) across multiple professions in the hospital.