Written Answers Nos. 174-195
174. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstance where an urgent MRI scan in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin is now taking a minimum of six to eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54018/23]
View answerIn 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.
175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the fact that a person (details supplied) who was referred in August 2023 for an urgent appointment for a thyroid/ENT consultation to the Mater Hospital Dublin, has received an appointment for 21 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54019/23]
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.
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 response from the HSE.
176. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the actions being taken to address the staff shortages impacting paediatric neurology services at Crumlin Hospital, particularly regarding the reduced access to the neurology nurses' phone line, essential for epilepsy care in children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54023/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
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.
177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to please speed up an appointment for a person (details supplied) to see a physiotherapist in Bailieborough Health centre Kells Road, Bailieborough, Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54031/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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.
178. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health for an update on a development (details supplied); the details of the proposed site; the timeline for the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54037/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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.
179. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the main policy achievements of his Department in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54075/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a specialised critical paramedic post (details supplied) remains unfilled in an area; what plans are in place to fill this post; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54084/23]
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.
181. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a role (details supplied) has been filled by a person without the necessary critical skills required as per the HSE Risk Management Policy and Procedures 2023; who made the decision to staff in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54085/23]
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.
182. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health whether the detention facilities in the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, will be used for any other detention purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54091/23]
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.
183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in a case of a person (details supplied) of a CORU application issue [54093/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been in touch with CORU on this matter and I understand that CORU will contact you on the issues raised and will also liaise directly with the applicants concerned.
184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of properties owned by the HSE, by location, use and value, in tabular form; and the number of these which are vacant and the length of vacancy. [54094/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you 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.
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of properties rented by the HSE, by location, use and annual cost, in tabular form. [54095/23]
View answerAs this question relates to expenditure at an operational level, I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.
186. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that in line with WPATH best practices, services should have full and ongoing participation from trans and gender diverse people in relation to decisions about their health and that accordingly the trans community should have been included in the HSE workshop billed as “The Future of Transgender Care in Ireland” on 9 February 2023; if he will agree to meet with trans groups to attempt to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54111/23]
View answer187. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many applications were made for the role of clinical lead for transgender services. [54112/23]
View answer188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how the HSE intends to address the waiting times faced by those looking for trans healthcare; and the timeline for these actions. [54113/23]
View answer190. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that instructing GPs to deny healthcare to trans people is putting their health at risk, and that the NGS should not interfere with the healthcare of people who are not their patients. [54115/23]
View answer191. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland is reported to have the worst transgender healthcare in the EU, given this information if he is concerned that a person (details supplied) has endorsed the National Gender Services as the “gold standard for how it should be done”. [54116/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, 190 and 191 together.
The Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
The HSE National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate has reviewed the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways in Ireland. The Department welcomed this review of the interim Cass report, and has considered its implications. The Department also understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE has advertised for the post of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services, who will develop the Model of Care and Implementation Plan for Transgender Care.
The HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.
The HSE is also working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are under way with the paediatric endocrinology service at Children's Health Ireland and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established. In treating children and young people, any decision is a clinical matter for the treating clinician, their patient and family.
I welcome the development of a model of care which will deliver a high quality seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues, in line with the Programme for Government.
In relation to the clinical, service and operational matters, I have referred this PQ to the HSE for them to reply directly also.
189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that in order to be in line with WPATH, GPs should provide blood tests to trans people, regardless of where they are sourcing their hormones. [54114/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
The HSE National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate has reviewed the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways in Ireland. The Department welcomed this review of the interim Cass report, and has considered its implications. The Department also understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE has advertised for the post of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services, who will develop the Model of Care and Implementation Plan for Transgender Care.
The HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.
Please be advised that GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold contract(s) with the HSE for the provision of health services, such as under the GMS scheme for the provision of health services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Clinical determinations are made by the GP concerned.
192. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the provision of South Doc services in Listowel; and his plans to change the service. [54118/23]
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.
193. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the allocation of a fair deal bed space to a person (details supplied). [54143/23]
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.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 19 October 2022, if he will provide an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54144/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was already employed by the HSE who was on a career break will not be reinstated in their job once they return; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54145/23]
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.
