Written Answers Nos. 345-366
345. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the protocol for an area where a GP does not have an out-of-hours or locum agreement in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19909/23]
View answerGPs contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours.
While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services facilitate the provision of GP services outside of normal surgery hours and help to spread the burden of this provision. Only a small number of areas are not covered by GP out of hours co-operatives, instead out of hours services are provided by local GPs. Funding was provided to the HSE for this year to provide additional out of hours support in certain areas not covered by out of hours co-operatives.
As private practitioners, GPs have responsibility for the securing of GP locum services as required. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE makes a contribution to eligible GMS GPs towards locum expenses for leave taking purposes. The contribution amount for maternity leave, and the contribution amount for paternity leave as well as the leave duration, was increased under the 2019 GP Agreement. Where a GMS GP has difficulty in securing locum cover where it is required, the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation will assist the GP in providing locum cover where possible.
346. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 20 April 2023, if he plans to provide additional accommodation for CAMHS at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/23]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
348. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on a proposal by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/23]
View answerThe Sláintecare Integration Fund formed part of the Sláintecare Action Plan 2019, which established the building blocks for a significant shift in the way in which health services are delivered in Ireland. Budget 2019 provided €20 million for the establishment of a ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund or SIF, to support service delivery which focuses on prevention, community care and integration of care across all health and social care settings.
The SIF Round 1 supported 123 HSE and NGO sector projects, to test and evaluate innovative models of care providing a ‘proof of concept’ with a view to mainstreaming and scaling of successful projects through the annual budget estimates process.
The selection criteria for funding were:
- To encourage innovations in the shift of care to the community or provide hospital avoidance measures;
- To scale and share examples of best practice and processes for chronic disease management and care of older people;
- To promote the engagement and empowerment of citizens in the care of their own health.
Successful SIF projects were mainstreamed via NSP 2021 and 2022 at an estimated €24 million.
The MS Ireland “Active Neuro” project was mainstreamed with ringfenced funding allocated in Budget 2022 to the HSE to continue the project in 2022, and this has continued in 2023.
Any consideration for whether, and how best, to expand this service within the HSE, would be matter for the HSE to consider and to make a business case to the Department of Health, as part of the annual Estimates process in advance of the Budget later in the year.
349. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of BreastCheck screenings that were undertaken in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, tabular form; when he expects the pre-pandemic service levels will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19948/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
350. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the new elective hospital in Cork will go to tender; if he can anticipate when construction will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19974/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospital in Cork, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
351. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2076 of 8 September 2022, if he will provide an update on the payment of the pandemic bonus payment to nursing home staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19976/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
352. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of documents (details supplied) outlining an organisation’s plan for sustainable national physiotherapy services for people with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions; if he agrees with the business case put forward; if he will ensure that the suggestions are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19984/23]
View answerThe Sláintecare Integration Fund formed part of the Sláintecare Action Plan 2019, which established the building blocks for a significant shift in the way in which health services are delivered in Ireland. Budget 2019 provided €20 million for the establishment of a ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund or SIF, to support service delivery which focuses on prevention, community care and integration of care across all health and social care settings.
The SIF round 1 supported 123 HSE and NGO sector projects, to test and evaluate innovative models of care providing a ‘proof of concept’ with a view to mainstreaming and scaling of successful projects through the annual budget estimates process.
The selection criteria for funding were:
- To encourage innovations in the shift of care to the community or provide hospital avoidance measures;
- To scale and share examples of best practice and processes for chronic disease management and care of older people;
- To promote the engagement and empowerment of citizens in the care of their own health.
Successful SIIF projects were mainstreamed via NSP 2021 and 2022 at an estimated €24 million.
The MS Ireland “Active Neuro” project was mainstreamed with ringfenced funding allocated in Budget 2022 to the HSE to continue the project in 2022, and this has continued in 2023.
Any consideration for whether, and how best, to expand this service within the HSE, would be matter for the HSE to consider and to make a business case to the Department of Health, as part of the annual Estimates process in advance of the Budget later in the year.
353. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will report on his communications with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications in respect of lung cancer caused by radon exposure; if he is satisfied with the adequacy of Government policy in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/23]
View answerRadon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS), which is now in its second phase covering the period 2019-2024. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency NRCS Group chaired by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. My Department is represented on this group by a HSE Public Health consultant.
Progress made in the last 12 months, and a key objective of the Strategy, includes the launch of updated Radon Risk Maps. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and predict that approximately 170,000 homes nationally are at risk from high levels of radon gas. For more information, please go to www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/radon/sixteenth-national-radon-forum.php. Attached is a list of page views for the radon web page tabulated by month since the launch of the maps in May 2022.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a key Agency in the delivery of the NRCS. It hosts the www.radon.ie domain, which includes the radon map; it funds and coordinates research in the radon field, and it also carries out radon awareness campaigns, including around the revised radon map, through social media, local radio ads to mark International Radon Day, billboard ads such as those at bus stops, shopping centres, etc.
In 2022, the maps were also promoted through events, radon remediation training courses or specific briefings with key stakeholders, including Local Authorities, Health and Safety Authority Inspectors, HSE Estates, the Irish Building Control Institute and private contractors. Further events to highlight the maps are planned in 2023, including attendance at the National Ploughing Championship.
A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS will be published shortly. This report sets out progress made towards delivering on the strategy and its actions between May 2019 and June 2022. Previous reports are available at www.epa.ie/publications/
While there are currently no financial supports in place in respect of radon testing or remediation measures, work to develop such a scheme is one of the action points for the current phase of the NRCS, which will run until 2024. Further information in relation to radon can be found at www.radon.ie
354. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if any assistance can be provided for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19997/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
355. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a pilot outpatient ARFID service or feeding clinic, similar to the one established in England in 2019, is being considered by his Department and the HSE; what has been learned from this pilot; what is being applied here as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
356. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the future plans of the HSE for the use of romosozumab in Ireland; if he will consider a meeting request (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/23]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. Therefore, the first matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
On the second matter, my officials have advised me that my Department has not received a request for a meeting with these participants to date.
357. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for hip surgery. [20071/23]
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.
358. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total number of DTSS contractors registered on the scheme in Mayo in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20080/23]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
359. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total allocation and spend on e-Health since 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20081/23]
View answerAs the HSE deliver all digital health solutions, my Department incurs no direct expenditure on eHealth but does provide the funding for eHealth via the ICT capital section of the annual service plan to the HSE, who have operational responsibility for delivery of eHealth and ICT solutions and services across the health service. This remit includes the delivery of eHealth programmes and the refreshing of ICT technology and infrastructure (to maintain performance and protect from cyber-attack) to support delivery of services, patient care and Sláintecare reform.
The HSE leveraged its ICT capabilities extensively during the pandemic and this proved to be criticalas the health service responded to the evolving situation. In the early days of Covid, ICT was used to fit out the assessment centres, provide electronic referrals for covid testing and deliver a national trace and test system to support the public health teams efforts to contain the spread of Covid. A combination of voted allocations of ICT capital and Covid specific money funded important work on ICT infrastructure and equipment, the COVID Care Tracker (track and trace system), the Covid Tracker APP, telehealth consultations, online referrals for Covid Testing, electronic transfer of prescriptions in the community for all GP surgeries and pharmacies, the Covid Data Lake, business intelligence and data analytics capabilities that supported the collection and reporting of Covid statistics and ultimately the development and delivery of the new national Covid vaccination system.
The attached table provided details the allocation of capital ICT funding over the period requested, provided under the Vote as well as under additional allocations provided for as part of Covid once off funding, along with the actual expenditure associated with these allocations.
|
- |
|||
|
OoCIO capital spend 2018 - 2022 |
|||
|
Year |
Vote Allocation |
Additional Covid Allocations for ICT |
Actual Spend |
|
2018 |
60,000,000 |
- |
59,592,511 |
|
2019 |
85,000,000 |
- |
84,596,897 |
|
2020 |
95,000,000 |
- |
94,996,462 |
|
2021 |
95,000,000 |
7,689,515 |
102,689,515 |
|
2022 |
130,000,000 |
34,500,000 |
164,500,000 |
360. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the new-build community nursing home in Nenagh, County Tipperary, will include a dementia unit, or provide beds for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20093/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
361. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify plans for the future of a GP practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20097/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
362. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards associated with a GP practice (details supplied); and the costs associated with running the practice. [20098/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when all remaining eligible non-HSE and Section 39 workers who worked in healthcare settings during the Covid-19 pandemic who have not received the pandemic recognition payment will receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20104/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
364. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the cessation of 24-hour services at certain clinics providing sexual assault treatment services for children (details supplied); the reasons that led to this decision; his views on the transfer of similar services from a certain location to another location; if there are plans to address this shortfall in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/23]
View answerAs the provision of services is an operational matter for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
365. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of people under the age of 70 years who held GP-only medical cards for each year from 2016 to 2022; the total number of GP visits made by the holders of these cards in each year; the number who visited the GP more than five times in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20112/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charges to medical card and GP visit card holders. As GPs are private practitioners, data regarding the number of visitations by card holder by age cohort is not available. The annual Healthy Ireland survey may be of assistance in providing estimated visitation rates per age cohort by eligibility status.
In relation to the number of medical card and GP visit card holders under the age of 70 for the years 2016 to 2022, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with this information as soon as possible.
366. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 20 April 2023, the details of the alternative location being considered as a possibility for the Community Nursing Unit in Cashel, originally planned for St. Patrick’s Hospital; to provide the location of the site in question; to provide a detailed account of the issues concerning parking space on the current St. Patrick’s site and access to the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20116/23]
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.
