Thursday, 13 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 678-692

Primary Care Centres

Questions (678)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

678. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans for a primary care centre in Mayfield, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34967/23]

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.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (679)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

679. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans for a primary care centre in Glanmire, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34968/23]

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.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (680)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

680. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans for a primary care centre in Blarney, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/23]

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.

Hospital Staff

Questions (681)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

681. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was not paid their annual leave/TOIL after they retired after 23 years of service in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter

Abortion Services

Questions (682)

Seán Canney

Question:

682. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 615 of 4 July 2023, the reason for the disparity in his reply where he stated there had been approximately 8,844 second consultation claims made in 2022 under the PCRS for termination of pregnancy, whilst in Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 10 May 2023, the HSE stated there had been 8,876 claims under the PCRS for termination of pregnancy in 2022; and if he will clearly clarify, the exact number of claims paid out under the PCRS for combined termination of pregnancy procedure and aftercare in 2022. [34991/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Figures from the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme (PCRS), relate to claims from GPs to the HSE for the provision of services under the termination of pregnancy services contract. These figures are periodically supplied to the Department on an informal basis to assist the Department in identifying any potential shortfall in notifications under Section 20 of the 2018 Act. The end of year figure for 2022 of 8,844, was as flagged in the Department’s response an approximate figure, and based on the latest information available to the Department.

However, as there are no time limits sets out in the Termination of Pregnancy contract around the submission of claims, the HSE on occasion receives late claims from individual GPs which must be processed under contract once verified and validated. Therefore, while reports are valid on date of production underlying data changes can occur after and change the reported figures.

In this particular instance this had the effect of altering the end of year figure.

I have now asked the HSE to provide the most recent reimbursement claims data to the Deputy and I expect there will be further marginal changes in the claims data.

Abortion Services

Questions (683)

Seán Canney

Question:

683. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all informal and formal meetings or engagements held with groups or individuals by him or his Department on the subject of abortion exclusion zones from 2022 to date in 2023, in tabular form. [34992/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Available records indicate that the following meetings have taken place, between Department officials and the below listed groups in relation to the development of Safe Access Legislation from 2022 to date.

Meeting held regarding Safe Access Zones	Date of meeting
Interdepartmental working group meeting, Safe Access Zones	22nd February 2022
Interdepartmental working group meeting, Safe Access Zones	4th March 2022
Interdepartmental working group meeting, Safe Access Zones	1­­­­4th April 2022
Joint Committee on Health met with DOH to consider the General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill	19th October 2022
Meeting with An Garda Síochána Safe Access Zones	7th November 2022

Meeting with An Garda Síochána Safe Access Zones	19th December 2022
Meeting with Department of Health (NI) Safe Access Zones	12th January 2023
Meeting with National Health Intelligence Unit (NHIU) HSE, Safe Access Zones	13th January 2023
Joint Committee on Health met with DOH to consider the General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill	18th January 2023
Meeting with Táilte (previously OSI) and the HSE regarding Safe Access Zones	3rd April 2023

Meeting with Scottish Officials	4th April 2023
Meeting with Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana	26th May 2023

General Practitioner Services

Questions (684)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

684. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the current GP contracts are deterring young GPs from practicing in rural parts of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34998/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

GPs 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.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure 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. The Agreement provides for an increase in capitation fees for participating GPs, additional services, improved family arrangements as well as a targeted €2 million fund to support to practices in deprived urban areas.

In addition to the more general measures taken to increase the number of GPs in the State, specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas.

The practice support package for rural GP practices which was introduced previously has been increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Specific fees are also in place for dispensing doctors (who operate in rural areas), these have been increased by 28% under the Agreement.

As was announced last week, agreement has been reached with the IMO to extend eligibility for GP visit cards to people who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7. This new GP agreement includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services. A new form of practice grant will also be made available to GPs for additional support staff, in addition to an increase in the existing Practice Support Subsidy. This grant may be shared between practices under certain circumstances.

A ring-fenced fund of €0.6m is being made available to support the delivery of an initiative to support rural GPs, including assistance sourcing locum cover. The HSE will collaborate with the IMO to implement this element of the Agreement.

Furthermore, I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which will commence shortly and is to 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. The provision of GP services in certain rural and urban deprived areas that are underserved, and the possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to these locations, is a specific issue that will be examined under the review.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (685)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

685. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the fact that it is taking up to seven months for applicants to the ICGP non-EU GP programme to have an initial assessment of documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34999/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I thank the Deputy for his interest in this important topic. The joint HSE and ICGP Non-EU GP Programme is on target to bring up to 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 which will help to quickly improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited capacity. It is planned to bring up to 250 more non-EU GPs by the end of 2024.

A Doctor wishing to practice medicine in Ireland must register with the Irish Medical Council (IMC). The IMC, which is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland, has advised that the number of applications from doctors for registration has grown significantly in recent years. The year-to-date number of first-time applications for 2022 and 2023 is approximately double that of the previous 5 years. To protect patients, the Council has a responsibility to ensure that all doctors registered in Ireland meet the requirements to practice medicine, as set out in its legislation. The increase in the number of doctors applying for registration has impacted on the turnaround time for processing relevant applications.

As participating doctors in the scheme under reference qualify outside of the EU, they are not entitled to automatic recognition of their qualifications under the EU Directive 2005/36/EC. These doctors must pass or be exempt from the IMC’s pre-registration exam when applying for General registration. Exemptions can be granted to applicants who have undertaken an internship recognised to be the equivalent of an Irish internship (COE route) or who hold a higher qualification recognised for the purpose of granting an exemption. The turnaround time for the COE route has increased markedly as a result of the increase in numbers of doctors applying for registration with the IMC.

The IMC has advised me that it has commenced a process-improvement initiative to identify solutions to reduce the processing time. The Council is undertaking an in-depth analysis of all the applications routes, reviewing application data, current processes and challenges. They are identifying processes related to turnaround times that need to be improved and identifying solutions for implementation in due course.

Importantly, where the Council is made aware an applicant has a job offer either by an employer or by the doctor, every effort is made to expedite the application to minimise any delay in service delivery.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (686)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

686. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties that retired GPs have to renew their medical insurance when they are offering to provide cover for GPs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35000/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

GPs are private practitioners, as such GPs arrange professional indemnity insurance from private medical indemnity providers. This is an arrangement between the two private parties in which the Minister for Health has no role.

The State indemnifies enterprises on behalf of the Minister for Health under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) when national policy confirms that this should be provided. As private practitioners, GPs, and the services provided by them and by GP practice nurses, are not covered by the CIS.

Most GPs hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of healthcare services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on an annual capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service and some consultation types. Under the GMS scheme a significant contribution is also made towards participating GPs' medical indemnity insurance costs. GPs with a GMS panel of 100 patients or more can apply to the for a partial refund, based on panel size, of their net indemnity insurance cost.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (687)

Martin Browne

Question:

687. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the progress made in extending the usage MAUs and LIUs at model 2 hospitals in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35005/23]

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.

Emergency Departments

Questions (688)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

688. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the emergency department development in Mayo University Hospital; if there have been follow-up meetings held by the HSE on cost increases; if new cost estimates have been produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35013/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (689)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

689. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of vacancies of medical professionals in Mayo University Hospital; the length of time each position has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35016/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

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

Hospital Admissions

Questions (690)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

690. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of patients presenting at the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital but leaving prior to being seen each month to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35019/23]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (691, 692)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

691. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on lists as both inpatients and outpatients for Mayo University Hospital; the average wait time; the number waiting more than one, two, three and four years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35020/23]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

692. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for elective surgery in Mayo in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [35021/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.

It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. On the 7th March, I published the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the next stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists, and builds on the foundational work done through the short-term Waiting List Action Plan between September and December 2021, which was followed by the first full year Waiting List Action Plan for 2022, both having reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.

The 2023 Plan sets out the priorities to continue to address waiting lists this year. The 30 actions in the Plan, which are governed by the Waiting List Task Force, focus on delivering capacity, reforming scheduled care and enabling scheduled care reform.

For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with  €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to implement longer term reforms and  provide additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. This will reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023 as well as continuing to significantly reduce waiting times in line with Sláintecare recommendations. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.

With this ambitious 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving our vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.

The attached documents, provided to my Department by the NTPF show the number of patients on OPD and IPDC waiting lists at Mayo University Hospital in the requested timebands, and the number of patients on the IPDC waiting list by area of residence (AOR) for County Mayo at the end of December 2022 and the end of May 2023.

The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here. 

Waiting lists data

Question No. 692 answered with Question No. 691.