Written Answers Nos. 635-649
635. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current status of the application for a new 97-bed ward block at Wexford General Hospital; if the updated public spending code will expedite delivery of the capital project proposal at Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42452/23]
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.
636. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals made to CAMHS in CHO2 in 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of those referrals which were refused; the number currently on the waiting list; the current waiting time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42453/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
637. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for hip replacement surgery at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42454/23]
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.
638. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1803 of 11 September 2023, if he will provide an update regarding flooding at University Hospital Kerry; the costs involved in its repair (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42456/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a diabetes taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a national diabetes strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42471/23]
View answerDiabetes is a complex condition that can require management across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery, including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
The planned delivery of diabetes services is ongoing. As part of Budget 2023, funding was allocated to implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care. This includes the commencement of the development of a National Diabetes Registry, the commencement of a National Paediatric Audit of Type 1 Diabetes, and two further initiatives related to gestational diabetes.
The inclusion of diabetes as one of four chronic diseases in respect of which GMS patients receive ongoing, planned care from their GP through the Chronic Disease Management Programme also represents a major step forward in assisting those living with diabetes to manage their condition. As part of the recently published GP Agreement of 2023, agreement was secured to include all women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia since January 2023 in the CDM Preventative Progamme.
Guidelines for Diabetes prevention and management include the Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, the Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot (2021) and the National Clinical Guideline for the Management of Adult Type 1 Diabetes. Guidelines are reviewed and amended in line with the most up to date evidence to support best clinical practice and standardisation of care for diabetes patients.
In 2020, the Health Service Executive published The National Framework for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (2020-2025) which adopted a whole system approach to integrated care for people with Chronic Diseases. It sets out a national framework for an integrated approach to the prevention and management of chronic disease in Ireland over the coming years. This framework was developed in relation to four major chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The framework builds on the existing policies and guidelines, with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, disease management and rehabilitation services that are coordinated across different healthcare providers and healthcare settings.
I am aware of the needs of the diabetes community and the challenges faced by those living with the condition. Officials in my Department engage with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.
640. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will make funding of €5 million available in Budget 2024 to enable increased access to continuous glucose monitoring for people with Type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42472/23]
View answer641. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he plans to make Freestyle Libre intermittently scanned sensor technology available to all people with Type 1 diabetes, without age restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42473/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including clinical efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. I, as the Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
The Health Information and Quality Authority completed a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in respect of the provision of glucose monitoring systems to adults with Type I diabetes in Ireland. This was published on 29 September 2023 and will inform the HSE decision-making process.
While preparations in respect of Budget 2024 are ongoing, any health measures introduced will be in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and the funding available to progress healthcare priorities.
642. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the ongoing issues experienced in relation to the dialysis machines in Tallaght Hospital (details supplied); what actions his Department will take to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42475/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to seek clarity on whether there has been anyone appointed through CAMHS into the role of psychiatrist with responsibilities for children with autism or ID for County Louth in the past 12 months; if so, when; the details on same; if the role is currently filled, if he will seek the details on the referral path for children in this category; to provide any details around the reasons that this role may now be vacant; if the role is vacant, when it is expected to fill the role into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42478/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
644. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of proposed 'safe access zones' that Tailte Éireann and his Department estimate will be created by the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42498/23]
View answer645. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health whether the proposed 'safe access zone' legislation will apply to institutions whereby a healthcare provider is located within a larger campus, for example, a university or hospital complex; if the 100-metre zone extends around the whole institution in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42499/23]
View answer646. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the proposed 'safe access zone' legislation will apply to situations whereby a healthcare provider is located within or adjacent to a family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42500/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 645 and 646 together.
I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services.
Officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General, Tailte Éireann, and other relevant stakeholders to develop the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 .
This Bill designates Safe Access Zones of 100 meters from an entrance or exit to the land and buildings that form part of the premises where obstetricians/gynecologists and general practitioners provide services. The Zones will also apply to hospitals that provide acute inpatient services within the meaning of Section 51 of the Health Act 1970. I am not in a position to specify the number of zones.
In instances where the healthcare provider is operating from a shared premises, the Zones will apply to the part of the building where the health services are provided and to any other part of that premises (including land or buildings) that is used for the purposes of accessing those services.
Safe Access Zones can in certain circumstances include private property.
Within those Zones certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited. However such conduct only becomes an offence if it continues after a Garda warning has been issued.
647. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of nursing home beds in County Wexford, both public nursing homes and private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/23]
View answer648. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds vacant, as of 26 September 2023, in both public and private nursing homes in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42502/23]
View answer649. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current total number of persons waiting for a nursing home placement in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42503/23]
View answer650. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of persons in a medical setting who are awaiting a nursing home placement in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42504/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 647, 648, 649 and 650 together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
