Written Answers Nos. 578-602
578. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring CGM sensors by the HSE; and the number who were over 21 years of age in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [19407/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring CGM sensors by the HSE; and the number who were over 21 years of age in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [19408/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
580. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Medtronic insulin pumps who are aged between 0-17 years and those aged 18 years or greater, in each county, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [19409/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using YpsoPumps insulin pumps who are aged between 0-17 years and those aged 18 years or greater in each county, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [19410/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
582. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Roche AccuChek insulin pumps who are aged between 0-17 years and those aged 18 years or greater in each county, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [19411/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Medtronic insulin pumps who are aged between 0-17 years, and those aged 18 years or greater, in each county, in 2022. [19412/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in each hospitals’ group in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [19413/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
585. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of mental health services in CHO9 for a person residing there (details supplied). [19416/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
586. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns were raised in regard to standards of care in St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park in 2020, 2021 and 2022. [19432/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns were received in relation to CUH in 2020, 2021, 2022; and what they relate to. [19433/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
588. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the process of TAPS funding received by nursing homes; the oversight and criteria that was in place in order to draw it down; and an up-to-date total list of allocations to each facility. [19434/23]
View answerThe Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme for nursing homes, also known as TAPS, provides financial assistance to private and voluntary nursing homes to support their preparedness in relation to COVID-19 and to manage outbreaks, if and when they present.
The Scheme's guidelines and associated documentation are publicly available at www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/temporary-assistance-payment-scheme-for-nursing-homes/
The core concept of the scheme is that the State will provide additional funding to those nursing homes that require it, to contribute towards support measures associated with COVID-19 preparedness, mitigation and outbreak management. There is an overall monthly funding cap, which is the maximum amount that may be paid in respect of each month to a nursing home under the scheme.Where a nursing home applies for an assistance payment through the scheme, the nursing home may only claim for those additional allowable costs, as set out in the Scheme details. The nursing home must vouch that all amounts claimed are in relation to those allowable costs arising as a result of the impact of COVID-19. In some cases, where an outbreak has been experienced and a claim is made under the outbreak assistance component of the scheme, the claim requires independently certified verification.
In recognition of the ongoing risk presented by COVID-19 in the community, Outbreak Assistance element of the scheme was initially extended to the end of December 2022 and thereafter extended further to the end of April 2023. There is, however, a reduction of the threshold for maximum monthly claim value from €33,000 to €20,000 applying to claims from 01 March 2023. This will be the final extension of the scheme, after which it will be closed. This takes account of the changed situation with regard to COVID-19 in Ireland, and the inherently temporary nature of the scheme.
Almost €149 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) since its introduction in 2020. Under the Standard Assistance element of the scheme nursing homes could claim up to a maximum of €60,000 per month. Standard Assistance remained open to claims for costs incurred up to 30 June 2021.
When introduced in 2020, a robust control framework was put in place for the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme, including requirements for validation, review of claims by an external accountancy firm, and provision for all claims to be audited and any misallocated funds clawed back for up to six years following. The thresholds also provided a strong control on costs.Claims to the scheme were administered by the NTPF (National Treatment Purchase Fund).
Since the start of the pandemic, private and voluntary nursing homes have also received a wide range of non-financial supports, including over €74m in free PPE and oxygen in addition to other supports. The NTPF and the HSE are currently undertaking an audit of payments (in addition to the internal audit mentioned above) and a report will be published when this audit is finalised. This audit is in progress.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to your request for an up-to-date list of the totals allocated to each facility.
589. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns were made in 2020, 2021, 2022 in regard to a nursing home (details supplied); and what they relate to. [19435/23]
View answerThe Health Act 2007, as amended, provides the overarching regulatory framework for the nursing home sector with further detailed requirements set out in Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. Under the Health Act 2007, as amended, and related Regulations, the registered provider is responsible and accountable for the quality of care and safety of residents in nursing homes (designated centres) and all nursing homes are required to have a clear complaints procedure in place. Part 10 of the Care and Welfare Regulations sets out the requirements in this regard.
HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. Any complaints of a serious nature are forwarded to HIQA as a matter of course and to the HSE where appropriate. As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, but it does take into account all information it receives- including complaints from the public- when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities.
Please see the number of concerns raised to HIQA for the nursing home in question for the period set out by the Deputy, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Grand Total |
|
3 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
Specific details in relation to the themes of these concerns are currently being collated by HIQA. This will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
590. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by CHO of concerns relating to community care, end-of-life; and the breakdown of the areas of concern. [19436/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Health Service Executive Annual Report and Financial Statements 2021 (available at this URL: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/corporate/hse-annual-report-and-financial-statements-2021.pdf) provides details of formal complaints received, by category, by the HSE during 2020 and 2021.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
591. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns were received in relation to a nursing home (details supplied); and what they relate to. [19437/23]
View answerThe Health Act 2007, as amended, provides the overarching regulatory framework for the nursing home sector with further detailed requirements set out in Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. Under the Health Act 2007, as amended, and related Regulations, the registered provider is responsible and accountable for the quality of care and safety of residents in nursing homes (designated centres) and all nursing homes are required to have a clear complaints procedure in place. Part 10 of the Care and Welfare Regulations sets out the requirements in this regard.
HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. Any complaints of a serious nature are forwarded to HIQA as a matter of course and to the HSE where appropriate. As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, but it does take into account all information it receives- including complaints from the public- when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities.
Please see the number of concerns raised to HIQA for the nursing home in question for the period set out by the Deputy, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Grand Total |
|
4 |
3 |
10 |
17 |
Specific details in relation to the themes of these concerns are currently being collated by HIQA. This will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns were received in relation to a nursing home (details supplied); and what they relate to. [19438/23]
View answerThe Health Act 2007, as amended, provides the overarching regulatory framework for the nursing home sector with further detailed requirements set out in Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. Under the Health Act 2007, as amended, and related Regulations, the registered provider is responsible and accountable for the quality of care and safety of residents in nursing homes (designated centres) and all nursing homes are required to have a clear complaints procedure in place. Part 10 of the Care and Welfare Regulations sets out the requirements in this regard.
HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. Any complaints of a serious nature are forwarded to HIQA as a matter of course and to the HSE where appropriate. As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, but it does take into account all information it receives - including complaints from the public- when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities.
Please see the number of concerns raised to HIQA for the nursing home in question, for the period set out by the Deputy, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Grand Total |
|
14 |
12 |
8 |
34 |
Specific details in relation to the themes of these concerns are currently being collated by HIQA. This will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
593. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the continued use of the LD-50 test on animals given the availability of alternative tests that do not cause suffering to animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/23]
View answerMy Department has liaised with officials in the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) with regard to this question. The HPRA is the relevant government agency with responsibility for the implementation of the legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
The validation and regulatory acceptance by EU medicines regulators of non-animal tests as an alternative to the use of the LD-50 test for quality control and safety tests of some medicinal products is welcomed. In line with the legal obligations laid down in Articles 4 and 13 of Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, approval to use animals for LD-50 testing of certain medicinal products is granted strictly on the basis of robust justification that no non-animal method is available and recognised under EU legislation. However, there are medicinal products on the market for which as yet, no alternative tests have been successfully validated or been granted regulatory approval as a replacement for the LD-50 test.
594. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if nurses who worked for South Doc during the Covid-19 pandemic will receive the bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/23]
View answerLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible front-line workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February this year there is also a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
595. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1530 of 18 April 2023, if a timeline can be provided for the confirmed evaluation of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if any basis for the delay to date in commencing this can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/23]
View answerThe Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The Scheme engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. This allows hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions. The treatments and the current fees payable under the Scheme were agreed in 2013.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) have advised that a detailed evaluation of the current operation of the COSMTS will need to be carried out before it is extended further. This review remains a priority for my Department in 2023.
To date, my officials have engaged with the HSE to determine how such an evaluative review would best be conducted. Given the importance of the COSMTS, I am eager to ensure that the requirements of this review are clearly defined, so that it can be completed in as timely a manner as possible but also provide the most useful insight on how best to progress the Scheme.
596. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health in what context and by whom was the Board of the Mental Health Commission informed that some residents of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton were "happy to move from the Owenacurra Centre and are satisfied with where they have been moved to", as stated in a letter from the Chairperson to a current resident dated 24 March 2023 and as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on 17 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department directed this query to the Mental Health Commission and the following is their response:
"It would not be appropriate for the MHC to comment on correspondence between the Chairperson and a private citizen. However, for information, the Regulatory Team has confirmed previously that certain residents were happy to move."
597. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 9 February 2022, how the HSE's Capital Plan for Cork residential mental health services can be in accordance with either the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities or the HSE's own Model of Care for People with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness and Complex Needs when it involves replacement of facilities for 'continuing care' residents on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire and St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork, as opposed to the further development of community-integrated services for this cohort of service-users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
598. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the projected time-frame for the re-opening of Millfield House, Cork to residents with severe and enduring mental health difficulties; the estimated costs associated with renovations planned for Millfield House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on renovations planned for the Carraig Mór intensive care mental health facility in Cork in particular, a projected timeframe for the completion of works and projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
600. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of any enforcement actions the Mental Health Commission may have taken against the HSE as part of its oversight of the Owenacurra Centre closure, including dates of the actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19462/23]
View answerThe Mental Health Commission is an independent regulator established under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission has statutory responsibility for supporting and assisting in the development and improvement of mental health services.
My Department directed this query to the Mental Health Commission and the following is their response: "As previously stated, the MHC has been continuously following up with the HSE to ensure that there is full and appropriate engagement with the residents and their families in relation to the closure."
601. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission has concerns about the provision of three community mental health residence placements in east Cork and the apparent lack of progress on appointing a development team to appraise options for a new ten-bed service in Midleton, eleven months after this team was announced as being formed by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons the Mental Health Commission has declined a request from the Oireachtas Health Committee to comment on the provision of community residential mental health placement serving the combined HSE catchments of the Cobh/Glenville and Midleton/Youghal adult mental health teams with respect to allocations set out in A Vision for Change when the Mental Health Commission reviewed such services nationally in 2019 and benchmarked those provisions against A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19464/23]
View answerThe Minister would like to remind the Deputy that the Mental Health Commission is an independent regulator established under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission has statutory responsibility for supporting and assisting in the development and improvement of mental health services. My Department directed this query to the Mental Health Commission and the following is their response: "The MHC did reply to this request on 11 November 2022 at which time it was stated this is a matter for the HSE as the MHC has no statutory remit to set targets for service provision."
