Tuesday, 27 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 613-633

Hospital Staff

Questions (613)

Alan Kelly

Question:

613. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons attached to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [9252/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Promotion

Questions (614)

Alan Kelly

Question:

614. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who availed of HSE anti-smoking courses within CHOs 3 and 5 in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [9253/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Health Services Staff

Questions (615)

Alan Kelly

Question:

615. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, in the HSE national antimicrobial resistant team; the full-year cost of filling each of the vacancies; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [9254/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Staff

Questions (616)

Alan Kelly

Question:

616. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries working in the neurology department of Cork University Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [9255/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Health Services Staff

Questions (617)

Alan Kelly

Question:

617. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars based in the Cashel minor injuries unit in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [9256/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (618)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

618. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will deliver a minor injury unit to be based at Carndonagh Community Hospital as part of the plan to reduce attendances at the crisis-laden emergency department at Letterkenny University Hospital. [9274/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Staff

Questions (619)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

619. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason an ANP for adult diabetes services has not been agreed and appointed at Letterkenny University Hospital, considering the long waiting lists for diabetes patients at the hospital. [9275/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Staff

Questions (620)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

620. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will sanction and appoint all the requested podiatrist posts, as requested by Letterkenny University Hospital, considering the long waiting lists for diabetes patients at the hospital. [9276/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (621)

David Cullinane

Question:

621. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of standardising post-mastectomy supports; if any areas will see a decrease in supports; the reason why the HSE does not directly provide post-mastectomy support from approved vendors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.

The Community Funded Scheme service improvement programme recently published two new national procedures for the provision of an allowance for cancer treatment in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products. The HSE advise that the intention of the new procedures was to standardize provision across the country.

I instructed the HSE to ensure that no patient, either currently availing of the scheme or accessing it in the future, should be at any financial loss as a result of the proposed changes.

The HSE has since communicated to each CHO advising them to revert to the pre-existing level of contributions to patients in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products until such time as the new procedures can be reviewed in terms of the proposed allowances to be provided. CHOs were also instructed to contact any member of the public who received an email/communication advising them of the new procedure to inform them it has been withdrawn. This communication also reiterated that no person should be disadvantaged in any way in the intervening period.

I want to reiterate that progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services over the last few years. I want to ensure that the necessary supports are put in place so that every woman has the same level of access to appropriate healthcare no matter where they live in Ireland.

In regard to the service matter raised regarding the reason why the HSE does not directly provide post-mastectomy support from approved vendors, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (622)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

622. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that ten years since the major flood at Letterkenny University Hospital, the onsite outpatient clinic has not been reinstated at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9279/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Question No. 623 answered with Question No. 469.

Health Strategies

Questions (624)

Joe McHugh

Question:

624. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health when he intends to launch the national strategy on diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9287/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Health Services

Questions (625)

Alan Dillon

Question:

625. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health to provide an outline of the treatment available for dementia patients in County Mayo, including investments in services and strategic plans to improve these services further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9289/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Staff

Questions (626)

Joe McHugh

Question:

626. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the reason Letterkenny University Hospital was not allocated advanced nurse practitioner posts in the recent allocation made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9290/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (627)

Denis Naughten

Question:

627. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current status of the HSE survey to measure the prevalence of long Covid in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9298/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (628)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

628. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has not appointed a child psychologist to work with children living with diabetes in Donegal, as would be normal practice across the State. [9306/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Medicinal Products

Questions (629)

Colm Burke

Question:

629. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the cost of medicines dispensed, with a breakdown of those which are still under patent and those off patent, for each of the years ending December 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9307/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (630)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

630. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9323/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (631)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

631. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update for people in receipt of the special leave with pay scheme who are not able to return to work; if the scheme will be replaced with an alternative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9327/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Cancer Services

Questions (632)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9345/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Data Centres

Questions (633)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

633. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9388/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.