Tuesday, 25 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1277-1300

Health Services

Questions (1277)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1277. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to detail all contact he has received from the HSE and SouthDoc in 2023 relating to service provision. [36430/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The table below indicates all correspondence received from the HSE in 2023 regarding SouthDoc Out-of-Hours service provision. No correspondence has been received directly from SouthDoc.

Date:	From:	To:	Subject
26/01/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	SouthDoc Service Update
05/04/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Holly Cairns TD	Staff at SouthDoc facilities in Castletownbere, Bantry, Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Clonakilty and Bandon
17/04/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	Out-of-hours GP Staff in SouthDoc counties Cork and Kerry
21/04/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	SouthDoc Services at Mallow and Fermoy
24/04/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	SouthDoc Services Fermoy
23/05/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Minister Donnelly	SouthDoc Services Fermoy
14/06/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	OOH in West Cork
07/07/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Cork County Council	SouthDoc Services Fermoy
07/07/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	SouthDoc Services Fermoy
11/07/2023	HSE, National Director Clinical Programme Implementation & Professional Development	Department for Health	Kanturk Out-of-Hours service
11/07/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	Out of Hours GP Services in CHO4
11/07/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	Out of Hours GP Services in CHO4
12/07/2023	HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare	Department for Health	SouthDoc Out of Hours GP Service

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1278)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1278. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to detail all funding provided to SouthDoc GP on Call in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [36431/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (1279)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1279. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health what governance procedures are in place between the HSE and Southdoc and its subsidiaries in respect of any financial transfers between the HSE and Southdoc under the SLA. [36433/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (1280)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1280. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a person is appointed by the Minister for Health or the HSE to sit on the board of SouthDoc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36440/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

SouthDoc is a private company.  It provides out of hours GP services to GMS patients under the terms of a Service Level Agreement with the HSE, and it provides services to private patients under private contract.  As SouthDoc is a private entity, neither the Minister for Health nor the HSE has legal standing to appoint a Board Member to the company.

Departmental Data

Questions (1281, 1282, 1283, 1284, 1285, 1286, 1287)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1281. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36441/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1282. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36442/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1283. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36443/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1284. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36444/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1285. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form [36445/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1286. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36446/23]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1287. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, segmented by gender and age, that attended under red eye shifts in an area (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the general times attended in that service, in tabular form. [36447/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1281 to 1287, inclusive, together.

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. 1282 answered with Question No. 1281.

Question No. 1283 answered with Question No. 1281.

Question No. 1284 answered with Question No. 1281.

Question No. 1285 answered with Question No. 1281.

Question No. 1286 answered with Question No. 1281.

Question No. 1287 answered with Question No. 1281.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (1288)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he and or the NPHDB and or the Children's Hospital Ireland will open a public consultation in respect of the name that will be applied to the national paediatric children's hospital in advance of it opening. [36456/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The New Children’s Hospital project remains the most significant capital investment programme undertaken in the healthcare system in Ireland. It will provide world-class, state of the art facilities where our healthcare professionals will deliver optimal care, leading to better health outcomes for all. This is a much-needed and much-deserved investment in our children and young people.

I acknowledge the importance of the naming of the New Children’s Hospital, which is a key enabler in the strategic reform of healthcare services for children and young people for generations to come.

Children’s Health Ireland is undertaking a branding process, following which the Government will be making a decision on the naming of the New Children’s Hospital in due course.

Nursing Homes

Questions (1289)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to outline the potential changes to the nursing homes support scheme, commonly known as fair deal, specifically the plan to introduce incentives for long-term nursing home residents to rent out their homes; when the implementation of a 0% rate of assessment for rental income obtained from a principal residence will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36459/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

Effective from 1 November 2022, the amount of rental income that nursing home residents can retain under the Fair Deal from renting their principle private residence increased from 20% to 60%.

Prior to this change being implemented, participants in the Fair Deal scheme were able to rent out their homes or other assets, however rental income was subject to assessment at 80% like all other income (such as pension income).

Recognising that this may act as a disincentive against renting out a property, the Government approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, “Fair Deal”, to remove a disincentive for applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental income from a principal residence is reduced from 80% to 40%. This means that for someone renting out their principal residence, they retain 60% of the income accrued from that rental and 40% is assessed under Fair Deal

This policy change is currently under review, examining any unintended consequences and potential safeguarding issues, with the intention for amendment if necessary.

It should be noted that rental income accrued from property that is not a principal private residence will continue to be assessed at 80%.

This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. The change was made through a Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 which is in operation as of 1 November.

Health Services

Questions (1290)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1290. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to improve access to vaginal mesh removal procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36476/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In terms of mesh-related service developments and supports, through additional funding first provided in 2020, the HSE established a National Mesh Complications Service. Further details on this service and supports are available from the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services

Questions (1291)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1291. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering implementing the Scottish NHS model in relation to vaginal mesh removal surgery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36477/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has established a National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group to oversee vaginal mesh implants in our HSE acute hospitals in terms of both primary implant surgery and tertiary complications services.

The membership of the HSE National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group includes representation from key stakeholders across the health service, including the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and patient representatives.

This group will review and assess implementation of the recommendations as set out in the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO’s) report ‘The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures, 2018’ and will assess the appropriateness of resuming uro-gynaecological mesh procedures, with a view to submitting recommendations to the Department of Health for consideration. This work will take cognisance of international developments and approaches in this complex area.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1292)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1292. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason many victims of medical negligence and their families were not asked to contribute to the Interdepartmental Working Group established to examine the rising cost of health-related claims and consider mechanisms to reduce costs; if any efforts were made to reach people who successfully took cases following HSE medical negligence; if a publicity or information campaign was carried out; if so, the details of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36478/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

For context, Government at its meeting on the 31st January 2023, approved the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group to examine the rising cost of health-related claims and consider mechanisms to reduce costs and approved the Terms of Reference and membership of the Group.

The Group is chaired independently by an expert healthcare professional, Dr Rhona Mahony and is comprised of membership from across key Government Departments and Agencies (Departments of Health, Justice, An Taoiseach, Finance, Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, Office of the Attorney General,  the State Claims Agency and the Health Service Executive).

In fulfilling its terms of reference as approved by Government, the Group may consult with a range of relevant parties.  It is considered that securing the views of patients, the legal profession and others will be of enormous value to the deliberations of the Group, and accordingly, the Group is engaged in a schedule of work and consultations with relevant parties.

As it would not be possible for the Group to consult with every individual or representative group who might have an interest in the matter,  a notice was placed in the Irish Times and the Irish Independent on 6th June 2023, inviting submissions from interested parties. The invitation to make a submission was also published on the consultation section of the Government website. 

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1293)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1293. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason he did not establish a statutory inquiry into historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; when he expects the chair of the non-statutory inquiry to be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36479/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

When I met with the patient groups involved with this issue, I supported their call for an inquiry into sodium valproate and I committed to making that happen. When I committed to this, I asked officials in my Department examine different options for the structure of the inquiry.

The preference is for a non-statutory inquiry in order to put in place a timely process that will seek to establish the key facts, while engaging with patients and families at all stages, and avoiding a long drawn out and adversarial process.

I was delighted to secure Government approval for the establishment of an inquiry which will examine the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State.

I am very pleased to be able to progress this. This inquiry will be designed to give a voice to patients and their families while looking at the use of sodium valproate in Ireland since it was first licensed.

There is more work to be done to establish the inquiry It is important that enough time and resources are invested in completing this work. There are many factors to consider, and I want to ensure that the inquiry established delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story and my officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated.     

With regard to the appointment of the Chair, I will provide an update on this matter in the near future.

Question No. 1294 answered with Question No. 1096.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1295)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1295. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to a media report (details supplied); the steps he is taking to resolve this dispute and ensure that there are no further delays to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36483/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Recent media reports discuss challenges in the relationship between the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), who have statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, and equipping the new children's hospital and the project’s main contractor, BAM. The matter highlighted in media reports has been resolved.

I recently met with the Chairpersons of the NPHDB and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) to discuss recent matters relating to the project. During the meeting I emphasised the importance of the hospital and the need to complete it. I urged open cooperation and communication between all key stakeholders to achieve substantial completion and ensure the hospital is opened as soon as possible for the benefit of children and their families. I have been very clear that I expect the contractor to meet its contractual commitments, produce a compliant programme of works, resource the project appropriately, and meet its own milestones under the programme.

I am fully committed to ensuring the New Children’s Hospital at St. James’s is completed as quickly as possible on behalf of children and their families. This is a shared ambition among all parties.

The New Children’s Hospital project will deliver world class facilities that will improve and prioritise medical outcomes for the nation’s sickest children. It is bringing about transformational change to the delivery of healthcare for the children of Ireland. 

 

 

Care Services

Questions (1296)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1296. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the establishment of the commission on care; when he expects the scope of the commission to be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36484/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

Acknowledging the disproportionately negative impact of the pandemic on older persons, the Programme for Government (2020) commits to the establishment of a commission on care that will ‘assess how we care for older people and examine alternatives to meet the diverse needs of our older citizens’, learning the lessons from COVID 19.

In 2022 preliminary research was undertaken within the Department of Health in preparation for the establishment of the commission on care, the scoping and planning for which are being further advanced as a priority in 2023. Discussions regarding the commission’s scope are ongoing, with a decision expected in the autumn.

Health Service Executive

Questions (1297)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1297. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of each of the 18 common actions and 13 high-service impact actions identified by the Service and Profession-Led Expert Implementation Groups as part of the HSE Resourcing Strategy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1298)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1298. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36486/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy may be aware, the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining safe staffing and skill mix levels for nursing and healthcare assistants and has been policy since 2018. The Framework, built on the principle that patients are individuals, determines nurse staffing levels based on care requirements. The impact of implementing the Framework is demonstrated by measuring a range of patient, staff and economic outcomes such as, including care left undone, staff satisfaction, and agency cost.

The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 1) was launched in 2018 and The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 2) was launched on 2 June 2022.

The Government had already invested €31 million since 2020 to support implementation of the Framework and I recently allocated funding of €25 million to recruit 854 additional posts needed to continue implementation of  the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in all acute hospitals nationally.

The major challenges to implementation have been the COVID-19 pandemic and recruitment difficulties. Nevertheless, the HSE has reported a significant increase in the nursing workforce in model 4 hospitals and that the majority of the positions funded initially have been filled, with recruitment continuing for the remaining posts. Completing implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework in all hospitals by the end of 2023 is a priority for me and I have requested the HSE to prioritise this recruitment.  

Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing in Community settings comprises: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons, (ii) Community care settings, and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.

My Department is currently testing the first part of Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse and Skill Mix in public and private Long-Term residential care settings for older persons which includes community hospitals. Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, it is my intention that Phase 3(i) be developed into a national policy in line with other phases.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (1299)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1299. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schedule of delivery for the additional 184 general acute beds and 26 critical care beds, as outlined in the HSE Service Plan 2023. [36487/23]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1300)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1300. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the special scheme of paid leave for healthcare workers suffering from long-Covid which has been extended until 31 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36488/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has provided Special Leave with Pay in line with the public health guidance in place (currently 5 days stay at home) for civil and public servants nationally, to facilitate employees to remain at home following a positive test result to avoid the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.

For certain employees who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long-Covid, a temporary Scheme, specific to the public health service was introduced to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection.  This temporary Scheme was due to conclude at the end of June however the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform  has recently sanctioned a four month extension to the scheme.   

Those who did not meet the criteria for the temporary Scheme, and those who remain unwell beyond the current 5 days of SLWP may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme if they remain absent. Officials from my Department met with unions in the WRC on the 10th of July  to outline the above. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.

The EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in health and social care, however Member States vary in respect of their treatment of Covid in this regard.

I understand that Minister Humphreys has committed to reviewing the EU Committee recommendation regarding the occupational recognition of Covid in respect of the Department of Social Protection national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, and the list of prescribed diseases/illnesses set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.  The outcome of this review is awaited, however the Deputy may wish to seek more detail in respect of this directly from Minister Humphreys.