Duncan Smith
Question:925. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars working in Portlaoise Regional Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [39814/23]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (925)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (926)
Duncan Smith
Question:926. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of CT scanners in use at Louth County Hospital. [39815/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (927)
Duncan Smith
Question:927. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric neurologists at University Hospital Waterford in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [39816/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (928)
Duncan Smith
Question:928. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the accident and emergency department at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [39817/23]
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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (929)
Thomas Gould
Question:929. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the initial date that concerns were raised within the HSE regarding a nursing home's management of a Covid-19 outbreak in December 2020 or early 2021 (details supplied); the dates of subsequent concerns/complaints; and the action taken in response to each complaint. [39831/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Questions (930)
Thomas Gould
Question:930. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of investigations, hearings or disciplinary matters undertaken by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland regarding patient care from December 2020 to March 2021 (details supplied). [39832/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to an operational matter of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (931)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:931. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently intervene and provide direct support to family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39843/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (932)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:932. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns in respect of counselling and psychotherapy services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39877/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the HSE in relation to the 2024 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2024.
The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. I would note that 2023 saw a record budget for mental health of €1.2bn. Budget 2023 delivered almost €58m in additional funding, and a further €10m in once-off funding for much needed minor capital works across the Mental Health system.
Funding allocated to mental health services in recent years has allowed for the continued investment in the mental health national clinical programmes and models of care, which has led to significant service improvements, including the full implementation of specialist perinatal mental health network provided for and the on-going expansion of specialist mental health teams for eating disorders, ADHD in adults, and dual diagnosis.
Importantly, as budgets increase, we need to ensure that we have plans and strategies in place so that those resources are used effectively and efficiently to the benefit of people using our mental health services. All aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, through Sharing the Vision in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
In relation to the School Counselling and Psychotherapy Initiative and tax relief proposals referred to in the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychology’s pre-budget submission, these would be a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Finance, respectively.
Mental Health Services
Questions (933)
Emer Higgins
Question:933. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will work with the HSE to provide urgent access to CAMHS for a person (details supplied) who cannot be discharged from the CHI nephrology ward until support is secured. [39884/23]
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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (934)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:934. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the provision that is made for patients who have to travel to hospital appointments on a regular basis but do not drive or cannot afford a taxi service; if a service is offered by the HSE to cover the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39895/23]
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.
Health Services
Questions (935)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:935. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a transport service is available for an elderly person (details supplied) to facilitate their hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39897/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (936)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:936. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of any contracts granted by the HSE for building and maintenance works in Beaumont Hospital since January 2020; the number of companies in each case that tendered for the works; and the name of the company that was granted the contract in each case, in tabular form. [39969/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (937)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:937. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, has availed of any public or private external services that has been provided to it by the HSE acute services in reducing the number of patients on the hospital waiting list for orthopaedic procedures. [39970/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Dental Services
Questions (938)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:938. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for braces after a public orthodontist recommended them for braces under the PRSI system; and the average waiting time for CHO8. [39971/23]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (939)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:939. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40008/23]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (940)
Robert Troy
Question:940. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for assessment by the primary care centre in Longford. [40016/23]
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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (941)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:941. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is no longer accepting referrals from nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40020/23]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (942)
Michael McNamara
Question:942. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the average waiting time and minimum waiting time respectively for a medical card for persons diagnosed with cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40027/23]
View answerWritten answers
Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
The HSE processes completed medical card applications within 15 days of receipt.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e., where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional.
In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. This measure delivered the Programme for Government commitment to extend eligibility for medical cards to persons with a terminal illness and work is continuing to develop a legislative framework to underpin this administrative scheme. Medical cards awarded on end of life grounds are never re-assessed by the HSE thereby providing reassurance and comfort to patients and their families.
Separately, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website at www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/.
Medicinal Products
Questions (943)
Peter Burke
Question:943. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will review extending the access to a new treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40028/23]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (944)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:944. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the review cycle for medical card holders with a spinal cord injury to ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40038/23]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.In that regard the HSE is also required to undertake periodic reviews of eligibility in order to ensure that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility. Where any medical or GP visit card holder has a review process initiated, it should be noted that he/she will continue to retain their eligibility for the duration of the review process.Every effort is also made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to provide an eligibility assessment process that is responsive and sensitive to people’s needs, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services and to that end, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card where an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold.