Written Answers Nos. 498-510
500. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health what explanation was given for the delay in the release of bodies from a nursing home (details supplied) in early February 2021; and whether information was provided on where these bodies were stored in the interim period. [50647/23]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the individual nursing home and I do not have information to address the questions raised.
The Chief Inspector of Social Services (Chief Inspector) within HIQA, has statutory powers to assess compliance by nursing home providers with the regulations and standards made under the Health Act 2007. All concerns about services brought to the attention of the Chief Inspector are risk-rated and appropriate action is taken to inform regulatory activity.
501. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether CRT geriatricians were considered as part of the HSE team when involved with care in nursing home (details supplied) in Q1 2021; and whether an explanation was given for delay in reporting of deaths to the broader HSE team at that time. [50648/23]
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.
502. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the dates in Q1 2021 that GPs (details supplied) physically examined patients; and the date telephone or virtual consultations took place, in tabular form. [50649/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners. The GP, the GP practice, or another legal entity providing the GP service concerned is the data controller for their patient's medical records. Accordingly, neither the Department of Health nor the HSE hold the requested information on GP visitations.
503. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of reports that an email from the HSE Director of Community Services appeared to instruct officials involved in serious Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes to gather and archive all information and data, potentially preventing their release through FOI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50650/23]
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.
504. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the actions that were taken following disclosures by staff and families regarding care in a nursing home (details supplied) in Q1 2021. [50651/23]
View answerI recognise how incredibly difficult it has been for the families of nursing home residents who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented one of the greatest and most wide-ranging public health challenges internationally in recent history. I would like to once again extend my sympathies to all those who were bereaved as a result of COVID-19.
I understand that HIQA and the HSE were notified of a COVID-19 outbreak at the nursing home referred to in early January 2021. I am also advised that both HIQA and the HSE’s local COVID Response Team were in regular contact with the nursing home over the following weeks and the following information has been provided.
Once notified of the outbreak and in line with general practice, the HSE convened an Outbreak Management Team. In these instances, Public Health specialists and nurses would work with the COVID Response Team to support nursing homes through the provision of a range of supports including:
• Advice and support regarding the management of suspect cases and contact tracing
• Review of resident status at each outbreak control meeting
• Review of staff status at each outbreak control meeting
• Advice regarding the cohorting of residents
• Provision of and guidance regarding the use of PPE
• Advice regarding visiting, transfers, admissions, and discharges
• Provision of oxygen supplies to suspect or COVID positive residents.
In the case of this facility which is part of a chain of nursing homes, management confirmed in the first outbreak control meeting that they had access to infection prevention and control resources and nurses and were also able to manage its staffing requirements through redeployment from other nursing homes and via agency staff. For this specific centre, the COVID Response Team was in regular communication during the outbreak and through the team, Consultant Geriatrician support was provided on an ongoing basis to the GP who was providing the medical clinical service to the centre. The centre was also in receipt of funding from the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (COVID-19 TAPS) for nursing homes.
HIQA carried out an unannounced inspection on 11 February in light of the notification of a significant number of deaths at the centre and following the receipt of a number of unsolicited concerns about the centre. The inspection report for this unannounced inspection can be found on the HIQA website www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/inspection-reports .
HIQA continued to engage with the nursing home and a further two inspections were conducted later that year. All three inspection reports can be found at the link provided.
505. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has not contacted a family (details supplied) following an incident; if home help hours can be looked at in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50654/23]
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.
506. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated for a chair (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50655/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
507. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will he be called for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50656/23]
View answerReferring to HSE as this is an operational/service matter
508. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will outline how the primary medical needs of residents of the Citywest IPAS facility are met; and if he will make a statement more generally on how GP and primary care functions are met for residents of IPAS facilities [50660/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have requested the Health Service Executive respond directly to the Deputy.
509. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline all conditions related to the HSE recruitment embargo; whether speech and language, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other therapists associated with disability services both adult and children’s services will be impacted by the embargo given the severe shortage of such therapists operating within the system; if persons who have been going through the recruitment process but whose contracts have not been signed will be impacted by the embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50668/23]
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.
510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if every effort can be made to put in place the nine additional home care package hours allocated to a person (details supplied); the timeframe for when these additional hours will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50676/23]
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.
