Written Answers Nos. 240-259
240. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the CAMHS redress scheme established in south Kerry following the Maskey Review will be widened to north Kerry families; if he will provide an update on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19541/24]
View answer288. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the CAMHS redress scheme, the north Kerry lookback review; whether a redress scheme will be considered for that area, to include those who have already received apologies from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19676/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 288 together.
On foot of the publication of the Maskey Report in 2022, this Government committed to the introduction of a non-adversarial route for children and their families, specifically covered by the Maskey Report, to seek compensation for the shortfall in care received.
The nature of State Compensation schemes is such that they are defined by clear criteria and terms of eligibility. Such schemes are not defined so as to be discriminatory, but rather to ensure that those who meet the relevant criteria can access a scheme, such as that relating to the Maskey Report. This is not to say that this Scheme in question is limited. Importantly, as evidenced by the additional eligible children in North Kerry subsequently identified by the HSE as qualifying for the Scheme, any further appropriate cases in Kerry recommended by HSE will be given full consideration by the State Claims Agency. However, aside from the inclusion of such individual eligible cases, it is not intended that there be any fundamental change to the Compensation Scheme introduced by Government relating to the Maskey Report.
To qualify to receive compensation, patients must have suffered harm or injury whilst attending Kerry CAMHS from 1 July 2016 to 19 April 2021, be identified as being affected by the events outlined in the Maskey Report and have been notified by CAMHS.
The original Maskey Report notes that there is no definitive number of people who suffered harm. Therefore, further evidence of levels of harm may be found so that the number of people who are eligible for the scheme may change. However, the terms of the scheme fundamentally remain the same – meeting the criteria of harm as set out by the Maskey Report.
The State Claims Agency continues to engage with families in relation to the processes involved in the Compensation Scheme. Should patients or their families have any questions in relation to their eligibility for the Scheme, they can contact the HSE Kerry CAMHS information line which remains open on 1800 742 800, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The Deputy will be aware that the HSE is currently undertaking a Lookback Review, to first look at the files of young people currently under the care of North Kerry CAMHS. A senior clinician, supported by a team of CAMHS Consultants, has been appointed to lead this review, which commenced on 19 June 2023. The HSE intend to complete this Lookback review as soon as possible. The HSE is committed to keeping families and young people informed about the process and place any documentation on hse.ie/northkerrycamhsreview.
In terms of the Compensation Scheme, the latest information available to the Department of Health as of 12 April 2024 indicates:
Applications to the Scheme : 202 applications to the Scheme have taken place with initial payments made to 197 applicants, following an applications’ verification process.
Settlements to date : 33 mediations have taken place to date, the majority of which have been successfully resolved. 31 cases are settled, with 5 of these to be ruled in the High Court (as they involve minors). As the applicants are recommending the settlements, the rulings should be routine. 1 case was awaiting a determination from the mediator. 1 mediator’s determination had issued to the family, and 1 mediation was adjourned.
A further 10 mediations were scheduled for late April and May, with more planned as soon as dates were agreed with the applicants’ solicitors.
There have been several firms of solicitors involved in the mediation process.
241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 28 February 2024, for an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; if the architect led design team has been appointed to-date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19544/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 28 February 2024, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway city; the expected timeline for the delivery of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19545/24]
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 respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
243. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 28 February 2024, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; the status of the land transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19546/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of all respite beds in County Galway; the locations of same; the number of same that are currently operational and currently closed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19547/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date situation regarding physiotherapy services in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19552/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
246. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if all clinical staff in the emergency department of UHL have received training in the National Clinical Guidelines No. 6 (Sepsis Management); and if not, the reason therefor. [19562/24]
View answerAs the Deputies question relates to a service issue, I have referred the question to the Health Service Executive for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
247. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline for the appointment of an occupational therapist in CAMHS at Nenagh health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19585/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline for the installation of a public MRI scanner at Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the funding allocation for the 97 bed block extension at Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19588/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to commit to ensuring that all international evidence and guidelines are reviewed in the development of evidence-based guidelines and a model of care for transgender services for young people and adults in Ireland, and that this will also include published criticisms of the Cass review. [19592/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE, and over the next two years an updated clinical Model for gender healthcare services will be developed.
The work will be informed by the best evidence based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. Emerging and evolving international evidence, including the just published Cass report, will be reviewed as part of this work.
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.
251. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is co-developing a new model of care for transgender healthcare, as per a recent article. [19593/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE, and over the next two years an updated clinical Model for gender healthcare services will be developed. The work will be informed by the best evidence based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. Emerging and evolving international evidence, including the just published Cass report, will be reviewed as part of this work.
As part of this process, Dr. Karl Neff has been appointed a Clinical Lead for the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) who will lead the development of a new Model of Care under the auspices of the National Clinical Programmes. The department of health has provided €100,000 funding for the establishment of this team.
I am committed to the development of a seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues.
252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the National Gender Service believes emergence of gender issues “very suddenly and dramatically”, as mentioned in a recent radio interview by its staff (details supplied), is due to rapid onset gender dysphoria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19595/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for response.
253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide the evidence backing a statement by National Gender Service staff in a recent radio interview (details supplied) that neurodivergent people’s neurobiological development is delayed by a decade. [19596/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for response.
254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1290 of 9 April 2024, that given the response stated there is no clear evidence, if he will commit to a correction being issued for the statements made on the radio which had indicated otherwise. [19597/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for response.
255. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the extent of the current backlog in the BreastCheck programme following the Covid-19 pandemic; when the programme will be back on schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19600/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will get a date for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19615/24]
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.
257. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the reason or reasons for the unacceptable failure in care of a person (details supplied) at Beaumont Hospital which led to the misreading and misreporting of a smear test in January 2007.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19627/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
258. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO1 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19630/24]
View answer259. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO2 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19631/24]
View answer260. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO3 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19632/24]
View answer261. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO4 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19633/24]
View answer262. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO6 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form [19634/24]
View answer263. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO7 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form [19635/24]
View answer264. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO8 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form [19636/24]
View answer265. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general adult psychiatrists with a special interest in substance misuse in the CHO9 mental health services in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form [19637/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264 and 265 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
