Thursday, 7 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 395-417

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (395)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

395. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the operating hours for each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic. [11365/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (396)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

396. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the criteria for discharging patients from long-Covid and post-acute clinics; if people can discharge themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11366/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (397)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

397. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to outline the training and information provided to general practitioners and general practice nurses in respect of treating long-Covid and making referrals to specialist services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11367/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (398)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

398. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the engagements he had with trade union representatives regarding his decision to conclude the temporary scheme of special leave with pay for healthcare workers with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11368/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid.  Sanction to extend the Special Scheme has been granted a number of times by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR), however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and DPENDPR have been clear that no further extensions will be granted.  Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will have received an individual notification of this from their employer.

Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.

The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave.  The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.

Health sector management have met with the staff representative bodies on a number of occasions in line with the Labour Court's recommendation to explore the supports already in place that are available to those impacted by long Covid.  These engagements are ongoing at present.

Hospital Overcrowding

Questions (399)

Alan Kelly

Question:

399. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health what measures he is taking to address the overcrowding situation in the UHL hospital group. [11369/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) continues to manage high volumes of presentations for unscheduled and emergency care. The latest available data shows that up to the 18th of February 2024, ED presentations at UHL increased by 19% on last year and emergency admissions by 13%. This trend is more pronounced among the over-75s with ED presentations having increased by 26% in the first seven weeks of the year and emergency admissions by 24% compared to the same period last year (2023).

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.

Over the past year, ED staffing has been increased and enhanced alternative care pathways have been introduced to reduce demand on the department and better facilitate patient flow. These have included but are not limited to the following:

ED admission-avoidance for over-75s - The Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) unit at UHL recently expanded to 9 treatment bays and to 24-hour operations during weekdays. This unit assesses elderly patients in ED with a view to avoiding unnecessary admission to hospital. This unit is funded to open 7 days a week until the end of March. The establishment of the GEM unit has ensured that less than one in three older adults seen there has required admission to UHL. Data for 2023 shows that of the 2,007 patients seen in the GEM unit, 59% patients were discharged to their home, 12% were transferred to a model 2 hospital, for example St John’s Hospital, and 28% were admitted to UHL.

Pathfinder - A collaborative ED-avoidance programme run by allied health staff and the National Ambulance Service (NAS). Pathfinder aims to deliver safe alternative care at home for over-65s in the HSE Mid-West region and expanded into Clare and Tipperary during 2023. Up to the end of December 2023, 49% of patients assessed by the Regional Pathfinder Team were supported at home without the need to go to the ED.

Alternative Pre-Hospital Pathway - A new collaboration between HSE Mid-West and the National Ambulance Service sees definitive care provided in the community by emergency medicine doctors and paramedics to patients who call 999/112. This reduces the number of ambulances bringing patients directly to the ED. Up to the end of December 2023, 52% of the patients reviewed by this service were seen via an alternative care pathway and 48% were conveyed to the ED at UHL.

Additional Medical Resources - In the past year, an additional two consultants in emergency medicine have been recruited for the Emergency Department.

Medical Assessment Units - The expanded Medical Assessment Unit services across the region are making a significant and positive impact on delivering timely care to patients referred by their GPs to hospital for urgent medical attention. The MAUs at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s operate a seven-day service. In 2023, 15,006 patients were referred to the MAUs in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s.

MAUs provide diagnosis and treatment for patients referred with a wide variety of medical conditions. Patients are reviewed by a senior clinician and may require x-rays, blood tests, scans or further diagnostic imaging.

Injury Units - Injury Units in St John’s Hospital, Ennis Hospital and Nenagh Hospital are open every day for injuries in adults and children aged 5 and upwards. In 2023, 46,702 patients attended Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s, representing a 6% increase on 2022 and since 2019 attendances have grown by 40%.

96-bed block - Work commenced on the first 96-bed ward block at UHL in September 2022. The construction phase will take at least two years to complete. It is currently envisaged that the construction phase will be complete by Q1 2025. Once handed over by the contractors, this first block will need to be equipped and commissioned and staff trained following the completion of a recruitment campaign. It is anticipated that this much-needed additional bed capacity for the HSE Mid-West region will become operational in mid-2025.

The Department is committed to the delivery of the second 96-bed block at UHL. This next phase of additional works has commenced. The construction phase will be completed in two stages and will be carried out directly adjacent to the 96-bed block currently under construction at UHL

Elective Hubs  Stephen Donnelly, the Minister for Health has also announced plans to include Limerick as one of six new surgical hubs to speed up access to care. 

Health Services Staff

Questions (400)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

400. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the widespread concern in the communities of south Inishowen, County Donegal, regarding the HSE plan to relocate the public health nurse from Fahan Health Centre to Buncrana; and if he plans to reverse this decision and maintain this important service in the local community. [11380/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Service Executive

Questions (401)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

401. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a back payment for a person (details supplied); when they will receive their same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11382/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter. 

General Practitioner Services

Questions (402)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

402. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of people in Galway who are without a GP and are currently on a waiting list for one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11384/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,530 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme, and a further 599 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.

Where a person that holds a medical card or GP visit card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.

Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Accordingly, the HSE does not maintain information on patients on waiting lists for registration with a GP on a private basis.

Nursing Homes

Questions (403)

Denis Naughten

Question:

403. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 30 March 2023 assuring Dáil Éireann of the adequacy of independent pre-admission assessments of nursing home residents, and in light of newspaper reports of the advice from his officials to enhance safeguarding checks in light of recent revisions to the means calculation of the fair deal scheme, if he can outline when such a recommendation was made on enhanced safeguarding checks; his timeline for the implementation of such enhanced checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11389/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, the legislation which underpins the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), outlines in Part 2, Section 7 (6) the criteria which comprises the care needs assessment under the Act. Those seeking to apply for the NHSS scheme must complete a care needs assessment. The care needs assessment is used to identify the individual requirements and care needs of the applicant and includes evaluation of the applicant’s capacity to perform activities of daily living, their cognitive ability, the family and community support that is available as well as the applicant’s access to medical, health and personal social services being provided to or available both at the time of the carrying out of the assessment and generally. The Act also includes provision for any other matter that affects a person’s ability to care for himself or herself, and consideration of the likelihood of a material alteration in the person’s circumstances during their lifetime that could potentially inhibit their ability to care for themselves.

The scope under which a person may be evaluated as needing nursing home care is broad and is largely dependent upon the applicant’s personal circumstances and identifying their ability to access personal social services and care services.

An amendment was made to the legislation and signed by the Taoiseach on 12 December 2023, via S.I. 618/2023. This amendment permits nursing home residents to retain 100% of the income accrued from renting their Principal Private Residence.

As part of the process of designing this amendment a detailed report was prepared. The NHSS Rental Income Report was presented to myself and Minister Donnelly in October 2023 and published in February 2024. The report details the risks arising from both the partial and full exclusion of Principal Private Residence rental income from the NHSS financial assessment, which I have articulated on many occasions.

To mitigate against these identified risks the HSE, as the Executive and administrator of the Scheme, implemented a new process to facilitate the receipt and processing of applications that fall under this policy. The policy has been fully implemented since 1 February 2024. The enhanced process includes appropriate checks regarding NHSS applications, data analysis to monitor trends arising, and sectoral consultation.

Dental Services

Questions (404)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on negotiations between the HSE and our dentists, in light of the fact that no new medical card patients are seen by a dentist as there is a disagreement over the contract in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11390/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, emergency extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, additional fillings and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

To support practitioners to provide care under the Scheme, I approved and funded a range of measures that were put in place on 1 May 2022 to introduce and reintroduce elements of preventative care and increase the fees paid to dental contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. In 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.

In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile agus Sláinte. The HSE's Strategic Reform Lead is driving policy implementation across the organisation and moving forward with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy.

The Policy also contains a range of strategic workforce planning actions to increase workforce capacity, in support of improving patient's access to care. To support this work, my Department is currently finalising a workforce census for oral healthcare.

Health Services

Questions (405)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be given to organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11381/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established under the Health Act 2007.  HIQA’s role is to promote quality and safety in the provision of health and personal social services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. The Chief Inspector of Social Care and the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national independent regulator of designed centres for older people including public community nursing units and private nursing homes.

As an independent organisation, the Authority is committed to an open and transparent relationship with its stakeholders. It’s independence within the health system is key and central to being successful in undertaking it’s functions.

Registered providers of nursing homes are not required to pay HIQA a fee to have inspections carried out. All registered providers are required to pay an annual fee of €183 per resident, which is payable in three equal instalments on 1 January, 1 May and 1 September in respect of each four-month period immediately following those dates. This requirement is set out in S.I. No. 61 of 2015 - Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2015.

 The regulations also allow registered provider to avail of a reduced payment if they notify the Chief Inspector in writing of their occupancy levels by the 15th day of the calendar month in which each instalment falls due. Last year, over 85% of registered providers availed of the opportunity to notify the Chief Inspector of occupancy levels less than the number of registered beds.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (406)

Denis Naughten

Question:

406. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans to extend the special scheme of paid leave for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid; if he intends to extend or replace this scheme before it is due to end in March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11392/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid.  This Special Scheme has been extended a number of times, however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and no further extensions will be granted.  Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme received an individual notification of this from their employer 2 weeks ago.

Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.

The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave.  The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (407)

Denis Naughten

Question:

407. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 11 July 2023, if he will outline the planned revision of the model of care for long Covid; when the model of care was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11393/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (408)

Denis Naughten

Question:

408. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 15 June 2023, the proportion of the €2.2 million allocated for the development of long Covid services in 2022 that was spent exclusively on long Covid services; the allocation drawn down by each clinic in 2022; the corresponding figures for 2023; the respective period of operation of each clinic; the number of new patients and recurring patients treated to date; the number of patients awaiting a first appointment in each clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11394/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (409)

Denis Naughten

Question:

409. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 15 June 2023, the number of full-time posts allocated to post-acute and long Covid clinics, by clinic and speciality; if the position has been filled; if an offer has been made; if a recruitment competition is ongoing; if the HSE recruitment process has commenced in view of the emerging evidence on long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11395/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (410)

Denis Naughten

Question:

410. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 291 of 15 June 2023, if he will outline the metrics at each clinic in 2022, including the number of new patients seen and the number waiting at the end of the year; the corresponding figures for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11396/24]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (411)

Denis Naughten

Question:

411. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of staff presently availing of the special scheme of paid leave in respect of long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11397/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services

Questions (412)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

412. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he can provide full detail on the safety issues that currently make the establishment of a 24-hour accident and emergency unit in Ennis General Hospital unviable. [11405/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am aware of calls for an Emergency Department to be provided in Ennis. I have requested clinical advice on this matter from the Chief Clinical Office of the HSE, and this advice strongly advises against this course.

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

Health Services Staff

Questions (413)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of prompt payment interest and compensation paid by the HSE for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will include a schedule of the top 20 highest late interest payments and compensation recipients for this timeframe. [11407/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly.  

Health Services

Questions (414)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

414. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health for a update on the cancelled surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11417/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

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.

Health Services

Questions (415)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

415. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason Parliamentary Question No. 619 of 27 February 2024, was responded to by the Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital rather than the HSE officials who made the decision not to allocate the ANP; the reason for 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. [11419/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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, 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 Funding

Questions (416)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

416. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that his Department has cut funding for the Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme course and monthly support to attendees upon completion; of the need to reinstate it urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11432/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

ADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

It can cause many issues in areas such as personal and social relations, education and occupation, managing money and organising life in general, there is also an increased risk of having other mental health difficulties with it such as anxiety and depression.

Children can access ADHD assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service. In addition to this, as per the CAMHS Operational Guidelines, CAMHS take referrals for children and adolescents up to age 18 with moderate to severe ADHD.

I am aware that prior to the inception of the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD which I launched in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for Adults in Ireland.

The NCP for ADHD is delivered as part of the HSE’s mental health service provision to ensure an integrated, person-centred response to adults with ADHD. The programme includes both assessment and treatment of the disorder and works collaboratively with voluntary agencies. It envisages a national service of ADHD teams, with each Team comprised of Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health, and an administrator.

Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for myself as a Minister, the Government as a whole and the HSE. Since 2021, over €3 million has been made available for funding ADHD posts from Programme for Government funding. This has enabled the set-up of 5 ADHD Teams with recruitment of over 25 posts, and two more teams are currently in development with posts funded for them.

In addition, as part of the National Clinical Programme adults funding of €150,000 was allocated to facilitate a collaboration with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology to develop an ADHD app and the UMAAP Programme (Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme). Both the ADHD App and the UMAAP Programme have proven to be two very positive resources for people with ADHD.

The UMAAP Programme is delivered as a 5-week workshop, and its aim is to provide education and tools for adults on how to manage ADHD.

I am pleased to confirm that further to recent discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE to finalise 2024 mental health funding, ADHD Ireland will be provided with funding for provision of the UMAAP Programme in 2024 and beyond. I look forward to launching the UMAAP Programme in April as agreed with ADHD Ireland.

Health Services

Questions (417)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

417. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the payments that were made in healthcare under the client indemnity scheme; the number of those that were from cases in UHL, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, the SCA has provided me with the information set out below. As the Deputy did not specify a time period for the information sought, the SCA has provided information relating to costs of the clinical indemnity scheme, over the five year period, 2019-2023.

I have been informed by the SCA, that while the Agency publishes aggregate information on clinical claims and incidents, it does not publish a breakdown by individual hospital as to do so would effectively create a ‘league table’, which could lead to an unwarranted comparison, in the absence of proper context, between hospitals in relation to the provision of health services.

The total amount paid by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme in respect of claims relating to alleged clinical negligence for the period 2019-2023 is €1,698,998,133.

The information contained within this document was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as per the below criteria.

• Relates to payments made in Healthcare under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme.

• HSE claims relate to claims against the HSE locations, i.e. Acute and Community settings, Section 38 service providers and the National Services and Disability sector locations. It does not contain any private scheme locations.

• The amount paid includes damages, SCA and plaintiffs’ legal costs (including VAT) and expert costs for the period 2019-2023.

• This report is correct as of 29/02/2024.

Definitions:

National Incident Management System (NIMS): Incidents (which include claims) are reported using the “National Incident Management System”, hosted by the State Claims Agency (SCA). An incident can be a harmful Incident (Adverse Event), no harm incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence (reportable circumstance) or complaint. NIMS is the system used by the delegated authorities to fulfil their statutory requirement to report incidents to the State Claims Agency and for their own incident and risk management purposes.

Clinical Claim: A claim which falls under the Incident Hazard category of Clinical Care. This category includes incidents relating to the provision of services of a diagnostic or palliative nature. It also includes incidents relating to the provision of treatment. Incidents present in this category will be related to Labour/Delivery, Diagnosis, Surgical/Medical, Care Management, Clinical Procedure, medication incidents or nutrition/blood related incidents.

Damages: The compensation paid to a claimant in personal injury claims for the pain and suffering arising from a physical and/or mental injury ( known as General Damages). The compensation paid to a claimant for out - of - pocket expenses incurred such as loss of earnings, vehicle damage, etc. (known as Special Damages).

Agency Legal Costs: Fees paid to solicitors and barristers engaged by the SCA.

Plaintiff Legal Costs: Legal Costs incurred by the Plaintiff and paid by the SCA.

Expert Costs: Fees paid to experts engaged by the SCA e.g. medical experts, actuaries etc.

Transaction Reporting Year: This refers to the year that payments were issued.