Written Answers Nos. 31-50
31. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on recent reports that suggest almost 107,000 adverse incidents reported within the health service and the significant rise in such incidents over the past five years; the steps or measures he has taken in view of these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2057/24]
View answerIt is of the utmost importance that services are encouraged to report all incidents. This reporting includes minor incidents and near misses. A cornerstone of improving the safety of our health services is continuous improvement based on learning from errors and adverse events. Reporting of all incidents promotes learning within services and informs improvements.
A variety of incident types can occur within health and social care services. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is applied to the management of individual incidents. It is also the mechanism for incident reviews in the HSE.
The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is designed to provide services with a practical and proportionate approach to the management of incidents. The focus of the Framework is on understanding how and why an incident occurred and using this knowledge to improve safety.
An incident is defined in the HSE’s Incident Management Framework as: “an event or circumstance which could have, or did lead to unintended and/or unnecessary harm.” This includes clinical or non-clinical incidents which occur in health services.
The most serious of these incidents are Category 1 incidents which are clinical or non-clinical incidents rated as major/extreme as per the HSE’s Risk Impact Table. These category 1 incidents consistently remain less than 1% of all incidents nationally which is in line with targets (NSP KPI target <1%).
There has been a continuous rise in incident reporting which is seen as a positive in terms of culture. This reflects the efforts of services to report incidents with a view to promoting learning and improvements.
The reporting of and learning from all incidents remains a focus for the HSE's National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate. A number of ongoing strategies within the HSE to promote incident reporting and learning include:
• improving the incident reporting system,
• emphasis on a just culture
• sharing incident learning through PatientSafetyTogether which is a platform that shares learning with health services and the public.
32. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health what actions he is taking to reverse the current trend in long-term residential care (LTRC) where there has been a consolidation of LTRC homes under larger operator groups in Dublin and the commuter belt at the expense of smaller independently owned and operated LTRC homes which are not part of operator groups in rural areas such as in Cavan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2070/24]
View answerAs Minister for Mental Health and Older People, I welcome the recent ESRI report: Long-term Residential Care in Ireland: Developments since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report brings into focus some the challenges facing the long-term residential care sector in Ireland which the Government continues to address to provide short-term stability and long-term growth to this sector.
The ESRI report highlights that long-term residential care (LTRC) supply and care home ownership has changed significantly in recent years and that large nursing home operators are now significant providers of LTRC in Ireland. The report also highlights some of the challenges facing smaller nursing homes, particularly in rural areas, and some of the regional differences that exist in terms of the provision of nursing home beds.
It is acknowledged that the nursing home sector has evolved over the last 30 years from a predominantly State led service to a situation today where approximately 80% of nursing home services are provided by the private sector. I am aware of the investment trends in the Irish residential care market, the growing consolidation of the sector, and the complex investment and ownership structures that now exist. I am also aware of the potential risks and unintended consequences associated with the level of care services currently being provided by the private sector. It is therefore important that all aspects of the nursing home sector are scrutinised over the coming years, and I am committed to ensuring that service delivery and configuration in the sector meet the needs of service users in a sustainable and safe manner.
Long-term residential care is a crucial part of the overall continuum of care and public Community Nursing Units (CNU) play a vital role in the provision of long-term care across the country. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure which supports the highest quality care for our older population and provides equitable access to this care in every region.
This investment includes the CNU programme, which was launched to ensure that up to 90 of our public Community Nursing Units would be refurbished or replaced to ensure the best quality environments for our older people. As of Q3 2023, 47 projects have reached construction completion. Construction is under way on several more facilities, while the remainder are at various stages of review, appraisal, design, and tender.
A clear indication of the Government’s desire to plan appropriately for the future, in the context of an ageing population, is the update of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review, which is currently being progressed. This is particularly important given changes in the health and wider operating environment since the original 2018 review was undertaken. This work will forecast future capacity requirements in acute care, primary care, and in social care services for older persons (residential and homecare services) up to 2040.
Government has also approved the creation of Regional Health Areas, requiring significant restructuring of health and social care organisation in Ireland, underpinned by regional population-based planning and resource allocation models. A national framework for health and social care capacity planning, creating the tools and infrastructure to support consistent, data driven, regional planning will be a critical success factor for this work.
High-quality design, planning, and construction is vital in creating safe environments that enable high quality residential care for older people. I have therefore committed to creating new design standards for long-term residential care settings for older people (public, private, and voluntary).
On the 19 December 2023, I announced a public consultation on a Design Guide for Long-Term Residential Care Settings for Older People. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), is currently seeking the views of the public on a draft Design Guide for Long-Term Residential Care Settings for Older People and the feedback received will inform the final version of the design guide.
33. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his views on the significant levels of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; what surge capacity measures have been taken in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1838/24]
View answerThe Emergency Department at UHL continues to manage high volumes of patients attending and like many EDs around the country is currently seeing a surge in patients with respiratory conditions. In 2023 the ED had 80,000 presentations,12% more than 2019.
Significant additional investment has been provided to University Hospital Limerick in recent years, including the opening of 150 additional beds in the UL Hospital Group since 1st Jan 2020 - 98 of these beds have been in UHL.
Over the past year the hospital has increased ED staffing and enhanced alternative care pathways to reduce demand on the ED and better facilitate patient flow. The Geriatric Emergency Medicine unit recently expanded to 24-hour operations during weekdays. Recruitment is complete following the Safer Staffing review that saw approval granted for 21.5WTE additional ED staff nurses. In the past year, an additional two consultants in emergency medicine have been recruited for the ED.
The UEC Operational Plan contains measures to support the health system during the period of peak seasonal demand. There is ring-fenced funding to support specific named measures to provide additional capacity during the period of surge associated with exceptionally high level of respiratory illness. Funding and pathways are in place to facilitate hospital and CHOs to access additional hospital and community bed capacity in the private sector to facilitate optimum patient flow and to avoid congestion.
34. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 9 November 2023, the exact level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to Monaghan Hospital for 2024. [1957/24]
View answer54. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to outline the investment and enhancement in services at a hospital (details supplied) since becoming Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 54 together.
As Minister for Health I am committed to the development of regional hospitals such as Monaghan. There has been a massive increase in investment in recent years, as the budget for the hospital has increased by 46% from €8.4m in 2020 to €12.3m in 2023. Staffing has increased from 102 in 2020 to 164 in 2023, a 60% increase.
• The Minor Injury Unit is now open 7 days a week since last July.
• Expansion in 2021, with a 23 bed intermediate care ward, endoscopy facilities, and an ECHO and EST room for cardiac patients.
• Third ultrasound room delivered in 2022.
• New stepdown ward with 8 beds delivered in 2023.
This is part of wider investment in County Monaghan. Last year two new primary care centres opened in Monaghan Town and Clones costing around €28m. Under the Enhanced Community Care Programme two community specialist teams are now working with older people and patients with chronic disease.
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I have issued a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. The National Service Plan for 2024 is currently under discussion. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of expenditure will be available.
35. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date with the provision of improved facilities at Galway University Hospital with particular reference to the emergency department/mothers and children unit, the elective surgery block, the new laboratories, the new cancer care unit and the provision of extra beds at the hospital; if any of these projects are awaiting approval by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/24]
View answerThere are several significant capital investment projects proposed for the University Hospital Galway Campus, including the Replacement Laboratories, Emergency Department (ED) Women & Children’s Block, a Regional Cancer Centre, a new Elective Hospital and a Surgical Hub.
In September 2023, Saolta established a Galway University Hospital (GUH) Capital Programme Oversight Board to develop an integrated master plan to support the phased delivery of capital investment at GUH. This board is currently in the process of preparing a detailed, robust and comprehensive master plan.
Emergency Dept, Women & Children’s Block
In relation to the Emergency Department, Women’s and Children’s block, the Department of Health carried out a review of the Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for proposal and returned it with feedback to the HSE in June 2023.
The findings of this review were incorporated into a SAR/Preliminary Business Case (PBC) which was approved and then submitted by the HSE to the Department of Health for review in November 2023.
In line with the requirements of the new Infrastructure Guidelines which have replaced the Public Spending Code, this SAR/PBC must be subject to a Departmental review (which is currently ongoing), an external assurance process, and presentation to D/PENDPDR’s Major Project Advisory Group. The timeframe for this process is dictated by the outcome of the findings from each review, alongside consideration of the project within the integrated masterplan under development.
Replacement Laboratories and Regional Cancer Centre
The Strategic Assessment Reports for the Regional Cancer Centre proposals and the Replacement Laboratories are in the final stages of review by the Department of Health, whilst the SAR/PBCs are in development in parallel, in line with the new SAR/PBC approach under the new Infrastructure Guidelines. Progression of these proposals will be in line with the overall master planning process.
Elective Hospital and Surgical Hub
Significant additional capacity to better enable the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care will be provided through a national network of dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals. The Preliminary Business Case, approved by Government in December 2022, identified Merlin Park as the preferred site for a new Elective Hospital in Galway. Since that approval, the HSE has been progressing its plans, defining the shape and scale of the new hospitals as well as progressing procurement, ICT and workforce planning. The HSE is also progressing the procurement of an integrated Design Team to provide the full scope of design services for the Elective Hospitals.
The HSE is also addressing waiting lists in the shorter term by expediting the development of ‘Surgical Hubs’ at locations across the country. Planning permission for the Galway Surgical Hub at Merlin Park has been granted and the procurement process for a construction contractor is in final stages.
36. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) has stated that hospitals are in a near constant state of overcrowding coupled with short staffing; if he will lift the health service recruitment freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1649/24]
View answerAt present there are many factors affecting the services during the winter months.
The recruitment pause is part of a suite of control measures, including an instruction to reduce expenditure on agency staff and management consultants across the HSE and Section 38 organisations.
The reality is that the HSE have exceeded their 2023 funded workforce targets, which is neither affordable or sustainable. To order to manage workforce growth within budgetary targets the recruitment pause will continue until a review is complete.
There are 25,239 more staff working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. That’s a 20% increase, meaning that for every 5 people working in the health service in 2020, we now have 6.
The 25,239 increase includes 7,510 nurses and midwives; 3,881 health and social care professionals; and 2,859 doctors and dentists.
We have seen consistent growth in the workforce each year since 2020, with record growth. The workforce growth in 2023 was the highest it has even been since the foundation of the HSE.
It was essential that controls were put in place in the latter part of 2023 in order to protect the HSE’s ability to continue to recruit essential roles in 2024.
Funding for an additional 2,268 staff has been secured by the Minister for Health for 2024. Plans for the immediate recruitment of these staff are currently being put in place by the HSE.
37. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the completion of the independent review relating to the spina bifida programme at Temple St Hospital; if the review will include an analysis of the particular surgeon's practice at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh as well as complex paediatric orthopaedic surgeries and the performance of relevant specialists across Children's Health Ireland sites to provide comparable data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2056/24]
View answerThe first phase of the independent external review of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Service is due to be completed by the end of January 2024.
The Independent External Reviewer finalised the terms of reference of the review in November 2023. The Independent External Reviewer will determine the methodologies for the approach to be taken in order to achieve the objectives set out in the terms of reference. It is my understanding that the review will include practice at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, along with other relevant sites such as CHI Temple Street and CHI Crumlin.
As the review is independent, it would be inappropriate to comment any further on the approach the external reviewer will take. I await the outcome of the independent external review.
38. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that day services at IWA, formerly An Castan, Commons Road, Navan, County Meath have been cut from five days to three days; if he will outline his plans to urgently reverse this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2087/24]
View answer39. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the chicken pox vaccine to be included in the national immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1976/24]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
NIAC continue to revise its recommendations having regard to of the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
As the Deputy is aware, the varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme however NIAC has recommended that the vaccine is included in the programme.
My Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the Varicella Zoster Vaccine which was published on July 13th 2023.
HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the programme is likely to be cost effective.
Having considered the findings of the HTA, my Department and the HSE are engaging on key issues such as cost and implementation. The outcome of this engagement will inform a decision in relation to the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme.
40. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of a primary care centre for Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/24]
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 reply 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.
41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department and the HSE have engaged with the various hospitals throughout the country with a view to improving the throughput at accident and emergency services in order to ensure early diagnosis/full triage in the shortest possible time and conscious of the need to treat emergencies as such from the outside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/24]
View answerThe Government is extremely conscious of the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause and the very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
This winter is the first winter we are using an all-year approach to urgent and emergency care, since the switch last year from annual winter plans recognising that the required investment, changes and supports go beyond winter.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan for 2023 was signed off by Government in July. The 2023 UEC Operational Plan will be the foundation for the 2024 UEC Operational plan, providing continuation and sustainability to the improvements achieved thus far.
A key priority of the Department of Health and the HSE is the improvement of ED Patient Experience Times (PET) and reform of service delivery across the entire health system is a key part of achieving this.
The health service is concentrating on improving PET for the over-75s as a priority patient cohort and the most likely to require longer hospital stays.
Delivering additional and extended hours for senior decision makers and staff integral to patient flow significantly improves the weekend discharge rates, which is good measure for the delivery of a seven-day service on behalf of patients.
The UEC Operational Plan focuses on improving four key performance indicators and has set the following targets:
• No patient aged over 75 years will wait more than 24 hours in ED’s nationally.
• The total number of Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) patients is 440
• The average monthly trolley count at 8am not to exceed 320
• The average length of stay for those over 14 days not to exceed 28 days.
42. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1288 of 7 November 2023, for an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; the status of the development of the pre-tender business case; the expected timeline for the project to proceed through Stage 2 of the Public Spending Code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1956/24]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospital in Galway, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
43. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeframe for the construction of the new renal dialysis unit in Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1600/24]
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.
44. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the cardiac services review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/24]
View answerThe National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services, chaired by Prof Philip Nolan, commenced in 2018. A Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing, and patient representatives contributed to the Review.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend a configuration for national adult cardiac services to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults and seeks to enhance and optimise service delivery across a region.
The Review faced considerable disruption during the pandemic and completed its work in 2023. The report is finalised. I have reviewed it, and a memo for the Government is being prepared. The recommendations of the review have been designed to inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
45. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in all of County Leitrim who are available to treat patients under the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1700/24]
View answerAs 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.
46. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health for an update on the delivery of the expansion of free contraception for women aged 17 to 31 years. [2092/24]
View answerThe free contraception scheme for women aged 17 -25, ordinarily resident in Ireland, was launched on 14th September, 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 31 inclusive, from January 1st, 2024. Approximately €43.9m has been allocated to support the scheme in 2024 and approximately 2,400 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and 2,050 community pharmacies have contracts with the HSE to provide services under the scheme.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible under the scheme will remain eligible for subsequent checks and free removal of any devices inserted prior to their 32nd birthday, to ensure continuity of care.
Full figures for 2023 are not yet available, but preliminary figures for Q1-3, 2023 indicate that approximately 185,000 individuals have benefitted from the scheme in the first three quarters of the year, and that the scheme has been operating within its allocated budget.
The potential to introduce a wider role for pharmacists and the use of 12 month-prescriptions for some forms of contraception are being considered by my Department’s Pharmacy Taskforce, which is working on legislation to underpin a wider role for pharmacists. It is envisaged that this will be progressed in Q1-Q2, 2024.
It is important to note that prescription contraception, while being very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy, does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The National Condom Distribution Scheme supports both STI prevention and accessible contraception for men and their partners. Free condoms can be accessed through the national network of STI clinics, participating charities and NGO partners and on participating 3rd level campuses. Since 2023, free condoms have also been supplied with orders for free home STI testing kits.
47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health what engagement he or his Department have had with University Hospital Galway in relation to the deficits identified, including relating to bed capacity and staffing in senior positions, in the HIQA inspection report dated 16 February 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1955/24]
View answerMy Department engages with the HSE and HIQA on a regular and ongoing basis on a range of matters related to the provision of high-quality and safe care for people using our healthcare services in Ireland. The implementation of the recommendations of the report are a matter for the HSE.
The HIQA inspection focused on key issues that impact on the delivery of care in the ED including: effective management to support high-quality care, patient flow and inpatient bed capacity in the hospital, respect, dignity and privacy for people receiving care and staffing levels. The hospital was inspected on four standards and was found to be partially compliant in two areas and non-compliant in two areas. Work has progressed to address issues highlighted in the report. This includes the following actions:
• Recruitment of additional staff to address shortfalls in medical and nursing staff, with two ED consultants already recruited and four more to be recruited this year.
• Quality improvement plan to address infection prevention and control shortfalls.
• Updated terms of reference for GUH Unscheduled Care Governance Group to ensure there is clear responsibility and to address HIQA concerns around effective management.
• Measures to improve patient flow, including recruitment of additional patient flow co-ordinators and implementation of specific initiatives for older people. Other measures include Age Friendly Cubicles, the implementation of the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons and an enhanced focus on improving delayed transfers of care.
Galway University Hospital continue to work on addressing the issues highlighted and I acknowledge the ongoing commitment of ED staff who provide excellent person-centred care in a challenging physical environment. My Department is working with the HSE on a range of capital projects on the Galway University Hospital campuses which will improve capacity including a new Emergency Department and women's and children's block, new laboratory facilities, a new elective hospital on the Merlin Park campus, and a new cancer centre.
48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to reduce the unacceptable divergence in the rates of subvention made to private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/24]
View answerFair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families.
Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full-time care is essential.
Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home, local market prices, historic prices and overall budgetary capacity.
The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009. The NTPF has statutory independence, and there is no role for Ministers or the Department of Health in these negotiations. The Department of Health published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021. It recommended several actions to improve the pricing system which are now being taken forward by the Department of Health and the NTPF. One of these actions relates to exploring a new geographical pricing model for the sector.
It should be noted that the amount a nursing home resident pays towards the cost of their nursing home care under the NHSS is calculated based on the value of their assets and income when they apply for nursing home care.
Regardless of whether a person resides in a publicly run Community Nursing Unit or a private/voluntary operated nursing home their contribution to the cost of their own care is calculated under the same criteria, therefore the cost to the resident remains the same.
In 2019, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme funding (NHSS) budget was €985.8m. Year-on-year the budget has increased: in 2023 I secured a funding increase of €40 million for the NHSS. An additional €45.6 million has been allocated to support nursing homes in Budget 2024, including a new €10 million fund to support private and voluntary nursing homes with HIQA compliance.
Overall, €1.5 billion of the total Health Budget was allocated last year to support over 22,800 people under Fair Deal. There was an increase in the budget for 2024 of an additional €45.6 million for 2024, this included €10 million fund to support private and voluntary nursing homes with HIQA compliance. I am cognisant that the budget must support all residents under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) for the full calendar year. This funding has allowed an increase in rates by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) of 5-6% on average per negotiation of Deeds.
It is recognised that the duration of contracts have shortened and that this increase in funding will go toward continuing to help nursing homes with inflationary costs in 2024.
The provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, as of May 2023 this has cost approximately €77 million.
In the weeks prior to Budget 2024 I held a roundtable discussion with private nursing home provider representative groups where the issue of continued support for the sector was on the agenda and I will continue to engage with them going forward.
49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department is engaging with the Department of Transport on funding provision to assist with sustainable transport options for hospital staff and patients in those hospitals signed up to the TFI Smarter Travel Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1548/24]
View answerNo such engagements are underway or planned.
50. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to the reduction in waiting lists for elective medical procedures in relation to cataract procedures and orthopaedic procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2073/24]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures are too long and continue to be impacted 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.
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan built on the foundational work done in previous plans, achieving significant progress in relation to waiting lists, including advancements made on overall waiting list reduction for the second year in a row, and progress made in addressing long waiting times.
The Department of Health is working with the HSE to finalise both the End of Year Report against the 2023 WLAP as well as the new WLAP 2024, which will take account of learnings from 2023 as well as the funding envelope provided for 2024.
For 2024, funding totalling €407 million is being allocated to tackle waiting lists with €332 million of this allocated to the 024 WLAP, and the remaining €75 million targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.
The funding will encompass core HSE activity, additionality provided through both the NTPF and the HSE, as well as progressing new service developments to further reform elective care and will facilitate the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care for everyone, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.
The Waiting List Action Plan identifies 20 high volume procedures including cataracts and includes a commitment that anybody waiting 3 months by year end, who is clinically suitable will receive an offer of care.
As at end December 2023, 93% of patients waiting more than 3 months by year end have been removed from IPDC waiting list (through HSE & NTPF activity) or have received an authorisation for an offer of NTPF funded treatment.
In terms of reductions to waiting lists for elective procedures, there were 9,445 patients waiting for an orthopaedic procedure as of December 2023 which is an 11% reduction in comparison to December 2022. There were 9,612 patients waiting for an opthalmology procedure at the end of December 2023 which is an 11% reduction in the past year.
The NTPF has confirmed a there were a total of 7,718 treatments arranged last year for Cataracts procedures. For Hip replacements, 861 treatments were arranged and 776 Knee replacement treatments were organised by the NTPF in 2023.
