Written Answers Nos. 460-472
460. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in relation to the severe strain midwives in CUMH are currently under (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
461. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently commence a recruitment drive to fill the six vacancies within the south Tipperary service which remain unfilled, in view of the 45km rule, and that national recruitment drives have not resulted in recruitment within the south Tipperary service; when the vacancies will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50593/23]
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.
462. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of opioid drug users, given the reported deaths due to a highly potent synthetic opioid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50594/23]
View answerThere has been a total number of 57 reported overdose presentations since November 10, with a decline in the number of incidents in recent days. The overdoses are associated with use of heroin adulterated by nitazenes, a potent synthetic opioid.
The HSE issued a number of risk communications containing harm reduction steps to help reduce risk for those using drugs. The HSE is advising people who use drugs to avoid new batches of heroin, to be extra vigilant, and to access Naloxone.
Naloxone is widely available and is free of charge from drug services and homeless services in the Dublin region. Over 3,800 units have been distributed in 2023 and 1,300 have been trained in administration of naloxone. Additional Naloxone supplies are available from the HSE where required.
In many cases, Naloxone was administered prior to medical services arriving, highlighting the effectiveness of the programme. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opiate-type drugs like heroin, keeping the person alive until emergency services arrive.
As Minister with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I appreciate the efforts of the HSE, community drug and homeless services, hospital Emergency Departments and the Dublin Fire Brigade for their swift response to the recent situation. This collective effort has greatly minimised the harms from the use of adulterated heroin.
The emergence of synthetic opioids is monitored closely by the EU Drugs Agency. Ireland supports this mechanism through the Early Warning and Emerging Trends network (EWET), which has representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Health Research Board, the HSE, several national laboratories, and civil society representatives.
I am committed to developing integrated care pathways and harm reduction responses for high-risk drug users so as to achieve better health outcomes and to reduce drug overdoses.
463. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are future plans to roll out dialectical behavioural therapy in County Sligo. [50598/23]
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.
464. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacant staff by job title in the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital as of 13 November 2023, in tabular form. [50599/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
465. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of private insurance patient forms that were completed on admission to Portiuncula University Hospital in each of the years 2021 to date in 2023; and the number of claims that were processed in respect of these forms to health insurance companies in each of the years in question. [50601/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
466. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dental surgeons employed by the HSE working in primary care centres within CHO6 in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50602/23]
View answerAs 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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a specialist lymphedema clinic to be opened in Drogheda, County Louth. [50603/23]
View answerAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
468. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of hospice care/ palliative care beds in CHO1; and the location of each. [50604/23]
View answerAs this is an operational 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, 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.
469. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologists at Mayo University Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50605/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
470. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the last date an external in-person fire safety audit was carried out on behalf of the HSE at Mercy University Hospital; the frequency with which these audits are carried out; and if these audits are published online. [50606/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
471. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE radiographers working in South Tipperary University Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50607/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
472. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current eye care services available to children aged eight years of age and over in CHO1. [50608/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
