Written Answers Nos. 303-315
303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to augment child and adult mental health services in CHO7; if the precise measures deemed to be necessary are being taken forthwith; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49253/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE
304. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to developing home support services for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48900/23]
View answerHome support is an essential service for thousands of people each day across the country. It is highly valued by service users and their families because it enables older people to live independently and with dignity in their own homes for longer. It also enables many older people to return home following acute hospital admission. Otherwise, they may remain there or would be admitted to long-term residential care.
For these reasons, improving access to this service is a Government priority.
Home support hours in communities are increasing, in line with enhanced investment. We currently provide more hours of home support to more people than ever before. There are over 54,000 people receiving home support services, with almost 75,000 benefitting from the service last year.
Since Budget 2021 we have provided an additional €228 million in funding. In 2023 the overall home care budget is €723 million. Budget 2024 provides an additional €2.8 million to meet inflationary pressures.
In 2023 we expect to deliver 21.5 million home support hours. As of August 2023, preliminary data shows that over 14 million hours of home support have been provided this year to date. This represents an increase of approximately 600,000 hours compared to the same period in 2022.
The delivery of home support hours is increasing year on year. In 2024 we expect to deliver 22 million hours of home support. This is more than has ever been delivered before.
305. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if there are plans by CORU to recognise athletic rehabilitation therapists in its regulation process; if not, the reason they will not be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49103/23]
View answerA number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex. In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board (HRB) was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions.
Officials in the Department of Health are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will also be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en
There are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.
My officials will be preparing a report on progress made in developing a framework to guide future decision-making on the regulation of health and social care professions, which will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within six months of commencement of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Act 2023.
306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of people with an address in County Kerry that are waiting for an outpatient appointment for cataracts; the number waiting for cataracts removal; the number that have availed of the cross-border scheme for cataract removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49107/23]
View answerIt 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.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached information, provided to my Department by the NTPF sets out the number of persons with an area of residence in County Kerry waiting on the Ophthalmology Outpatient waiting list, and the number on the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for cataract surgery at the end of September.
With regard to the number of people from County Kerry who availed of the cross border scheme for cataract surgery, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
307. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to the Rotunda Hospital for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49110/23]
View answerThe Rotunda Hospital is the lead maternity centre for the RCSI Hospital Group.
As Minister for Health, I am committed to the ongoing development of the Rotunda Hospital. The budget for the hospital has increased from €65.8m in 2019 to €76m in 2022, an increase of 15.4%. There has also been significant capital investment in services in the Rotunda Hospital in recent years. Enhancements in services completed include:
- A major works programme completed in 2022 which enabled commissioning of additional and compliant theatre capacity;
- There are now 3 Operating theatres with one dedicated gynaecology theatre.
- Delivery Suites were extensively refurbished to modern standard and there are now 9 permanent delivery suites.
- The Emergency Rooms were refurbished and expanded.
- A new Ambulatory Gynaecology “see-and-treat” unit for women’s healthcare was commissioned and opened in 2021. This included 9 Consulting rooms, Radiology, pathology and minor operating capacity.
The HSE are currently developing plans for redevelopment of the existing hospital, including a new critical care wing and relocation of outpatient services.
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of non-core expenditure will be available.
308. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to the national maternity strategy for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49111/23]
View answerProgressing women's health continues to be a top priority for this Government. We have overseen unprecedented levels of investment in women's health. We have provided for significant funding for gynaecology, endometriosis services, for screening and menopause supports. We have invested in women's mental health services including perinatal mental health.
Significant investment of €16m in 2021 and 2022 provided renewed momentum to the National Maternity Strategy. This has enabled recruitment of over 146 full-time health professionals across maternity services. This investment is funding recruitment across a broad range of specialties of care. Over 70 midwives and nurses. 23 health and social care professionals. 7 consultants, and a range of supporting staff.
The National Maternity Strategy is moving into its 8th year. A total of €25.65m in new development funding has been invested from 2016-2022. This has enabled the total recruitment of 465 full-time staff across the country.
These staff, and this investment, improve women’s lives every day.
The implementation of the strategy's Model of Care is providing more choice for women. All 19 maternity services now offer the midwife-led supported care pathway. Each maternity service now has a lactation consultant and bereavement team.
Postnatal hubs have been established in Kerry, Cork, Portiuncula, and in Sligo. These hubs are providing postnatal care within the community; a priority identified by women in the National Maternity Experience Survey and in our Sláintecare objectives.
The Maternity and Newborn Clinical Management System, funded through the Strategy, is the only full Electronic Health Record in the public health system. It is currently live in 4 sites, covering 40% of births nationally.
This funding is providing for additional home-from-home birthing suites. It is also enabling upgrades to theatres and wards.
We are establishing a National Perinatal Genomics Service; evaluating, diagnosing, managing and treating anomalies before birth.
Furthermore, through Strategy funding, a maternity network has been set up within each Hospital Group to provide leadership and support. Training and education supports have been strengthened for maternity staff.
All these many new developments are supporting improved choice for women. They provide safe, high quality, nationally consistent, woman-centred maternity care. The significant funding provided in 2021 and 2022 will continue to enhance the experience of all women using our maternity services.
In relation to additional core expenditure for new developments, I will issue a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. The HSE will then draw up its National Service Plan. At that point, a detailed breakdown of new developments expenditure will be available.
309. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 15 June 2023, if the shortage of the pain medication (details supplied) has been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49115/23]
View answerChefaro Ireland DAC, the company responsible for supplying Solpadeine, has advised of a shortage of the 24 pack presentation of Solpadeine Soluble Tablets, resulting from manufacturing delays. The shortage impacts multiple markets, not just Ireland. The company anticipates Solpadeine Soluble Tablets 24 pack to come back into stock in March 2024.
Multiple alternatives are available. I can confirm that;
- the supply of Solpadeine Capsules (32 pack) resumed on the 04th August 2023.
- the supply of Solpadeine Soluble tablets (12 & 60 pack) resumed on 05th October 2023.
- the supply of Solpadeine Capsules (12 pack) resumed on 25th October 2023.
The HSE advise that Solpadeine capsules in packs of 32 and Solpadeine Soluble tablets in packs of 60 are currently on the reimbursement list.
The HPRA publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website (Medicines Shortages (hpra.ie) with the reason for the shortage and expected dates for the return of supply. The information is available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they arise and reduce their impact on patients. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
My Department maintains regular contact with the HPRA regarding medicines shortages
310. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of current vacancies in community health posts serving the Balbriggan area, including occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49118/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of dialysis patients from Meath travelling to hospitals located outside the county, by hospital, for each of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of those who were transported to each hospital arranged through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49131/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if there are new protocols or arrangements under discussion at the WHO in relation to dealing with future pandemics; when it is proposed that the final documents in relation to this will be agreed; whether in the event of Ireland signing this protocol or arrangement this country will then be legally obliged to follow instructions from the WHO as to how future pandemics would be handled here; whether it is Ireland's intention at present to sign up to such a protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49148/23]
View answerI can advise the deputy that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response was not adequate and needs revision and as such, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a central leadership role.
On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, commonly known as the Pandemic Treaty. Ireland supports this WHO-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of such a Pandemic Agreement is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The INB has met six times to date and is due to meet again in November and December to progress work on drafting the agreement. A progress report was delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, and it is anticipated that the instrument will be adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
Ireland has been participating fully in the negotiation process along with EU Member States and is, along with a majority of EU Member States, part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. The Group of Friends of the Treaty strongly supports an agreement that would foster an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, strengthening national, regional, and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics.
Ireland is advocating for an ambitious, fair, and implementable agreement to protect global public health through better pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be fully respected in Ireland’s position towards these negotiations, and my department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.
As the proposed instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is currently being negotiated, it is not possible to determine the precise legal ramifications of the instrument, or what form the instrument shall take. These negotiations are due to conclude in May 2024. Once concluded, the draft Treaty will be presented to Cabinet for agreement before adoption.
313. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to appoint the President of the University of Galway or their nominee ex-officio to the Board of the new Health Region (HSE West and North West) Board in view of the close co-operation between the university and the health services particularly in research and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49158/23]
View answerA memorandum for HSE Health Regions implementation was approved by Government in April 2022. This Government decision approved implementing Health Regions as regional service delivery divisions within the HSE rather than as separate legal entities. As such, they will not have separate boards of their own. As part of the HSE, the Health Regions will be overseen by the HSE Board. This 2022 Government decision also included a commitment to develop the HSE Health Regions Implementation Plan, which was subsequently completed and approved by Government in July 2023.
314. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he has made any progress in ending the blood test charge for medical card holders by GPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49164/23]
View answer316. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will make medical card holders aware of the option to seek reimbursement of costs for blood tests via the medical card unit or via GP surgeries, in order that medical card holders are aware of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49166/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 316 together.
GP services are provided without charge to people who hold a medical card or GP visit card under the GMS scheme. Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.".
The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for such blood tests.
In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.
The issue of certain GPs charging GMS patients for necessary blood tests has been raised with the relevant GP representative body on a number of occasions. However, it has not yet proven possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services or for a different service by their GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of a GMS patient, will contact the GP concerned and carry out an investigation into each complaint and, where appropriate, will arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
315. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will reform the reimbursement process for medical card holders who are charged for blood tests, to make the process easier for our most vulnerable citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49165/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
