Michael Healy-Rae
Question:515. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a device for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53265/23]
View answerMedical Aids and Appliances
Questions (515)
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (516)
Seán Canney
Question:516. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if there is a shortage of tyvense medication, which is used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD; the measures his Department is taking to ensure an adequate supply of this vital medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53267/23]
View answerWritten answers
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Ireland Branch has advised of shortages of some strengths of Tyvense (20mg, 40mg, 50mg and 70mg) due to an unexpected increase in demand and manufacturing challenges. These shortages are affecting multiple EU countries, not just Ireland. The company has advised that resupply of the 20mg, 40mg & 70mg is expected on 4th December 2023 and the 50mg strength on the 18th December. The company has provided a letter to healthcare professionals detailing this information. To date, there have not been any notifications of shortages of the 30mg or 60mg Tyvense capsules.
There are alternative medicines also available that are authorised for the treatment of ADHD. If patients or their carers cannot source their usual medicine at present, they are encouraged to discuss alternative options with their healthcare provider pending the resumption of normal supply.
I understand that the current shortage of this medication is causing a lot of distress and worry for patients and their families. My Department is progressing several workstreams for management of shortages, including primary legislative amendments to make regulations for management of shortages via the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023.
Ireland has a medicines shortage framework in place which is operated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The Medicines Shortages Framework’s aim is to help avert potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by co-ordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. The multi-stakeholder framework includes representation from the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals, the HSE, the Department of Health and patients. The Department and HPRA maintains regular contact regarding medicines shortages.
Ireland is heavily involved in work by the European commission and the European Medicines Agency to address European wide issues relating to medicines shortages. This includes work to ensure adequate supplies of medicines, for the coming Winter period. On the 24th October, the EU Commission published a communication, entitled Addressing medicine shortages in the EU. It reinforced the Commission’s plan to introduce a suite of short-, mid- and long-term actions to be undertaken to strengthen security of medicines supply in Europe.
Unfortunately, there are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; sudden unexpected increase in demand; or product recalls due to potential quality issues. Medicine shortages are, unfortunately, a feature of modern health systems worldwide and a global health problem. Shortages of medicines are not unique to Ireland and there is no evidence that shortages disproportionately impact patients in Ireland compared to other countries.
The HPRA publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website (Shortages List (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.
The Department and the HPRA maintains regular contact regarding medicines shortages.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (517)
Robert Troy
Question:517. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for hip surgery in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [53275/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
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.
Care Services
Questions (518)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:518. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the Minister for Justice regarding the need to expedite Garda vetting for homecare workers, which would lead to an average turnaround of 2-3 days as opposed to 2-4 weeks, which would assist with the onboarding of new homecare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53277/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Justice.
Departmental Data
Questions (519)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:519. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a home support waiting list in CHO 4, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53278/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Departmental Policies
Questions (520)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:520. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health what efforts are being made to develop a graded career structure in homecare that rewards and encourages upskilling and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53280/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Departmental Data
Questions (521)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:521. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to provide the following information in modular form the percentage of inpatients (excluding day cases) who were discharged after one day in hospital, for each Model 3 and Model 4 hospital, in each of the calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. [53281/23]
View answerWritten answers
Departmental Data
Questions (522)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:522. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to provide, in modular form, the average length of inpatient stay (for all inpatients) for each Model 3 and Model 4 hospital, in each of the calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. [53282/23]
View answerWritten answers
Home Help Service
Questions (523)
Alan Dillon
Question:523. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he can clarify the position surrounding a business (details supplied) as to when they ceased their delivery of services, the number of home help support impacted, the contingency plan put in place and if staff were remunerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53300/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (524)
Alan Dillon
Question:524. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he can confirm employees of a company (details supplied) received a Covid recognition grant from the Department of Health for its Mayo and Galway staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53301/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (525)
Brendan Griffin
Question:525. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the shortage of car parking spaces at University Hospital Kerry will be addressed; if there is a plan to do this; how many extra parking spaces will be created; if the anticipated cost of the project is known if a timeline for delivery of the project exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53309/23]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (526)
Matt Shanahan
Question:526. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, with respect to each hospital in the South, South-West group, the annual budget, capital expenditure, WTE staff, number of in-patient beds, number of consultants, for each year, or year end that the hospital grouping was in place from 2013 up to present day. [53312/23]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (527)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:527. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health for an update on each of the proposed elective hospitals for Dublin, Cork and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53333/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to establishing new standalone national Elective Hospitals in Cork, Dublin and Galway. This will enable the delivery of high-quality and timely elective care services to address the known demographic changes to 2035 (up to a 40% increase in day-case surgeries) with significant additional service delivery capacity.In December 2022 and following Public Spending Code Gate 1 approval, the Government approved the next stage of the Enhanced Provision of Elective Care Programme and progression of the development of new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway. The preferred sites recommended to be brought forward are St Stephen’s Hospital in Cork and Merlin Park, University Hospital in Galway.I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway, to respond to you directly in relation to latest developments in those locations.In relation to Dublin, a site identification and assessment process is at an advanced stage, including engagement with necessary stakeholders, and is expected to be concluded shortly.
The Department and the HSE are continuing to work on the Business Case for Dublin and a Memo updating the Government on progress on this and the overall Electives programme will be submitted in the near future.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (528)
Pearse Doherty
Question:528. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) from County Donegal will receive a rheumatology appointment for Our Lady’s Hospital, Manorhamilton; if they are on the routine or urgent list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
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, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a reply from the HSE .
Mental Health Policy
Questions (529)
James Lawless
Question:529. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53348/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am very supportive of family involvement in a person’s mental health care and treatment. A person's outcomes tend to be better where family are involved and so family involvement should be supported within our mental health services wherever appropriate. Involvement is also key to supporting family members themselves.
Family involvement is supported by Sharing the Vision,and also under proposed changes in the new Mental Health Bill. However, in the case of adults, consent must be given in such cases. While healthcare professionals can receive information on a person's medical history and behaviour from family members and loved ones, if the person refuses to consent to their medical information being shared, their wishes generally must be respected.
Where consent is concerned, mental health treatment is treated no differently to any other medical speciality. It is at the discretion of the individual as to what and how much information they allow a doctor or service to disclose to their family members. The safeguarding of patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle of medical ethics. Confidentiality is both a person’s right and a doctor’s duty.
Notwithstanding the fact that doctors have a responsibility to protect people in their care, there are circumstances where it may be necessary to disclose information about a person where they are at serious risk of harm to themselves or others and this includes, for example, where someone is at risk of violence or abuse. Medical Council guidelines specifically allow for this to happen and that course of action has always been available to doctors.
A person's multidisciplinary team should continue to engage with them on the matter of consenting to sharing information on their mental health difficulty with family and loved ones; just because someone refuses to consent to sharing this information on one day, does not mean that they will refuse at a later point when their condition may have improved. For this reason, consent should be an ongoing conversation between the person and their multidisciplinary team.
In addition, existing provisions within the Mental Health Act 2001 on involuntary detention provide a basis for the protection of a person or others around them, where there is risk of serious and immediate harm. Of course, prediction of risk is not always easy.
Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy, clearly states that there is a role for family, carers and supporters in a person’s care and treatment. I, along with the Department of Health, recognise the importance of involving family members as much as possible in a person’s treatment, with the consent of the person, and supports ongoing measures to enhance family member involvement through legislation and policy, and through mental health service provision.
With regard to involuntary detention of someone under the Mental Health Act 2001, being made an involuntary patient is a significant infringement of a person’s human rights and is only possible under the clear criteria for involuntary detention set out in section 3 of the Act, where a person is unwilling to be in hospital voluntarily, and representing either (a) immediate and serious harm to themselves or others, or (b) having so severely deteriorated in the community and that they would benefit from a period of treatment in hospital.
The process of involuntarily detaining an individual under the Act is a three-step process. The first step requires an application which may be made by a family member, member of An Garda Síochána, an authorised officer (which is a prescribed grade in the HSE), or another person, to be followed by a recommendation by a GP or other registered doctor that the person is suffering from a mental disorder and would benefit from a period of treatment in hospital. The third and final step is the requirement that the consultant psychiatrist, following an examination, diagnoses the person as suffering from a mental disorder within the meaning of section 3 of the Act, and authorises the involuntary admission of the person. Upon admission of an individual on an involuntary basis, a second examination by an independent consultant psychiatrist takes place to affirm or refuse the order.
The Act also allows for persons who have been admitted on a voluntary basis and who indicate a wish to leave to be involuntarily detained and admitted if the responsible consultant psychiatrist believes the person fulfils the criteria for detention in section 3 of the Act, provided a second consultant psychiatrist agrees with this diagnosis.
If a consultant psychiatrist does not believe that a person meets the criteria set out in section 3, then the person cannot be admitted. Furthermore, under section 28, the responsible consultant psychiatrist is obliged to discharge an involuntary patient when they become of the opinion the person is no longer suffering from a mental disorder. The assessment of eligibility for involuntary detention is a clinical decision that can only be made by a consultant psychiatrist.
Where someone is dissatisfied with the outcome of an application made under the Mental Health Act, a second opinion may be sought. The Mental Health Commission’s guide for family and friends sets out the admission process:
www.mhcirl.ie/what-we-do/mental-health-tribunals/information-patients/admission-process-guide-guide-family-and.
Where a person is involuntarily detained, an automatic review process is triggered. Within 21 days of admission, the order detaining a person is reviewed by a Mental Health Tribunal made up of three independently appointed persons. If the tribunal believes a person fulfils the criteria for detention then they must affirm the order; however, where a tribunal believes a person does not fulfil the criteria for detention, they must refuse the order and the person is then discharged.
I have included a link to a guide which provides you with an overview of treatment options while accessing in-patient care. Please go to the following link to access the document:
www.mhcirl.ie/sites/default/files/2022-01/Mental-Health-Commission-Treatment-Options-Guide.pdf.
As you may be aware, a new Mental Health Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, generally in line with the General Scheme of a Bill published in July 2021.
The new Bill will promote the involvement of family members and loved ones, with the consent of the individual concerned, where they are making a decision about their treatment and during the admission and discharge processes. Priority drafting of the final text of the new Mental Health Bill was secured in the spring, summer and autumn legislative sessions and officials in the Department are continuing to work with drafters to progress the Bill as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (530)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:530. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when building works will commence on the planned 50-bed building at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53362/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
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.
Traveller Community
Questions (531)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:531. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to implement a national action plan for Traveller mental health; the details of work carried out to date in the area of Traveller mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53378/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Traveller Health Action Plan was launched in November 2022. The Department of Health and the HSE are committed to developing priorities, strategies and actions on Traveller mental health within the framework of the National Traveller Health Action Plan. These will respond to acknowledged needs in Traveller mental health and address the social determinants of Traveller mental health through targeted and mainstreaming measures. The Action Plan is a landmark document that recognises the right of Travellers to the highest attainable standard of health as is the norm in Irish society. It includes mental and physical health, which are intricately linked.
As a first step, the Traveller Health Action Plan contains of six actions on Traveller mental health. These are being delivered through the HSE national service plan for 2023, supported by an additional ring-fenced budget of €300,000. This will enable the employment of 7 community support workers within the Traveller projects to focus on engaging the community with existing mental health supports, identifying gaps and consulting on future service developments. The actions reflect the priority status of Travellers in the Government mental health policies - Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life, and will be reported upon as part of the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 - 2024. Progress will also be monitored under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
The Department and the HSE are engaging with the Traveller community to further develop and expand the actions as part of a mental health priority plan, within the framework of the Traveller health action plan. The newly-established HSE steering group on Traveller mental health will consult with Traveller organisations and representatives on this task. Traveller representatives have also been invited to be part of the group.
I welcome the increased focus in the area of Traveller mental health and I look forward to the progression of this workstream. Budget 2024 provided new funding to enhance Suicide Prevention and Postvention Services through the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service; and for the Traveller Counselling Service, which will have national coverage for the first time. The details of this are the subject of on-going discussions in the context of agreeing the the HSE Service Plan overall for next year, including for Mental Health.
In addition to this, Travellers are identified as a Priority Group in Connecting for Life, our national suicide reduction strategy. The vision of Connecting for Life is “an Ireland where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.” This vision is embedded in all supports and interventions developed with, by, and for, the Traveller community.
The Traveller community are a key focus for a number of specific actions across Connecting for Life, including actions on suicide prevention training within the community and amongst front line staff, awareness raising, protocols to assist organisations to work collaboratively on suicide prevention and managing critical incidents, and support for targeted services at primary care level.
The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention co-ordinates the implementation of Connecting for Life, and funds partner NGOs to deliver essential training and services including bereavement services and therapeutic interventions. The HSE NOSP allocate over €7m in funding each year to partner NGOs.
One such agency is Exchange House National Travellers Service. With the support of the HSE NOSP, Exchange House provides a range of Traveller-specific mental health and suicide prevention services to the community. Their aim is to improve the overall wellbeing of Travellers and reduce the likelihood of suicide or self-harm within the community.
Exchange House do this by working with Traveller groups and Traveller organisations and services (including Primary Healthcare Projects and Traveller Action Groups). They also provide direct mental health support to Travellers experiencing mental health issues including psychotherapy and CBT. Exchange House were allocated €325,000 in funding by HSE NOSP last year, with a similar amount allocated this year. Further information on NOSP funding to organisations is available in its annual reports.
In addition to that noted above, the HSE fund a number of Traveller organisations to ensure culturally appropriate supports are available. This includes Pavee Point, a national NGO working for the realisation of human rights for Irish Travellers and Roma living in Ireland. The organisation is a partnership of Travellers, Roma and members of the majority population working together to address the needs of Travellers and Roma as minority ethnic groups who experience exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination.
Pavee Point works across national, regional and local levels to help coordinate engagement between the Traveller Community and State structures, including health. Pavee Point is funded by the HSE as a Section 39 organisation to provide healthcare services for Travellers. In 2022, it received funding of €1,283,000 from CHO 7 and CHO 9. Services include Primary Care for Travellers, drug and alcohol services, maternal health and mental health services.
Traveller Community
Questions (532)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:532. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to give an update on the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (details supplied); to give an update on the implementation of the mental health recommendations within the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53379/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health and the HSE met with the Ad hoc Travellers Key Issues Monitoring Group on 1 June 2023 to update them on progress made in respect to the health recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community.
A briefing was provided to the Committee in advance of the meeting, and it is attached for the Deputy's information.
Further to the information contained in the attached briefing, €300k was allocated for Traveller mental health in 2023 and is enabling the employment of 7 community support workers within the Traveller projects to focus on engaging the community with existing mental health supports, identifying gaps and consulting on future service developments. These actions reflect the priority status of Travellers in the Government mental health policies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life. Progress will also be monitored under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Budget 2024 also provided new funding to enhance Suicide Prevention and Postvention Services through the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service; and for the Traveller Counselling Service, which will have national coverage for the first time. The details of this are the subject of on-going discussions in the context of agreeing the the HSE National Service Plan overall for next year.
I welcome the increased focus in the area of Traveller mental health and I look forward to the progression of this workstream.