Verona Murphy
Question:530. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the acceptance rate for referrals to Wexford CAMHS to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41073/23]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (530)
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (531)
Verona Murphy
Question:531. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently awaiting an initial assessment for support services in Wexford CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41074/23]
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 (532)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:532. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health what options are available to a person who needs work carried out on their teeth under their medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41075/23]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (533)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:533. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the Government has any plans to introduce the shingles vaccine shingrx for free for over-65s (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41078/23]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Those aged 50 years and older who wish to receive the vaccine should consult with their GP or pharmacist.
It may be of interest to note that the Health Information and Quality Authority are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.
Gender Recognition
Questions (534)
Carol Nolan
Question:534. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent study (details supplied) that has found strong evidence of a link between autism and gender dysphoria and gender/body incongruence; whether his Department or the HSE has conducted any research into a link between these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41082/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) requested the National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate to review the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways from Ireland.
The Department welcomed this thorough, consultative and clinical review of the interim Cass report, and has considered its implications. The Department also understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE is currently advertising for the post of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services, who will be the Model of Care and Implementation Plan Development Lead for Transgender Care. The recruitment campaign opened on Thursday, 14th September 2023 and closed on Thursday, 12th October 2023 at 3pm.
Throughout this process, the HSE will address the waiting times faced by those who wish to access care for gender dysphoria. A key part of this work will see the HSE consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups.
Additionally, the HSE aims to collaborate in an international longitudinal study that Dr Cass is planning to organise from the UK. The aim of this longitudinal research is to follow up with patients at set intervals to see how the care received for gender dysphoria and any underlying issues addressed their needs and impacted their lives. This study will give us an opportunity to work, and build relationships with international partners, and to gain learnings from much larger numbers.
The HSE is also working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are underway with the paediatric endocrinology service at Children's Health Ireland and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established. In treating children and young people, any decision is a clinical matter for the treating clinician, their patient and family, this applies also to the use of puberty blockers, as the international evidence base is continually evolving on this matter.
The Department is committed to the delivery of a high quality seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues.
With regards to the Autism aspect of this question, I have referred this query to the HSE for direct reply.
Gender Recognition
Questions (535)
Carol Nolan
Question:535. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the policy change implemented in Denmark this summer whereby teenagers who present with gender dysphoria for the first time will be offered counselling rather than be prescribed medication such as ‘puberty blockers’; whether this development will inform the policy of his Department or the HSE on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41084/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
The HSE National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate has reviewed the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways in Ireland. The Department welcomed this review of the interim Cass report, and has considered its implications. The Department also understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE has advertised for the post of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services, who will develop the Model of Care and Implementation Plan for Transgender Care.
The HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.
The HSE is also working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are underway with the paediatric endocrinology service at Children's Health Ireland and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established. In treating children and young people, any decision is a clinical matter for the treating clinician, their patient and family, this applies also to the use of puberty blockers, as the international evidence base is continually evolving on this matter.
I welcome the development of a model of care which will deliver a high quality seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues, in line with the Programme for Government.