Michael Harty
Ceist:153. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take to combat the increased incidents of hospital acquired infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47200/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 8 November 2017
Ceisteanna (153)
Freagraí scríofa
The prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health for numerous years. The Department supports the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR (2015) and the European Commission One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (June 2017).
A wide range of initiatives has been put in place in the Irish health system over several years including improved surveillance of infections and prescribing, infection prevention and control processes, antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, public and professional awareness raising and with a significant emphasis on the education and training of healthcare professionals.
In response to the emergence of virulent antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, in particular CPE or CRE, commonly known as 'superbugs', the HSE National Taskforce on HCAI AMR, established in late 2015, identified an urgent need to develop a comprehensive plan in response to the on-going and developing situation in relation to management of CPE within the healthcare system. A national response team was established and a new National Clinical Lead for HCAI AMR was appointed to direct the work of the response team.
In addition, on the considered advice of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) I activated the Public Health Emergency Plan on 25 October 2017 to further address CPE in our health system. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on CPE, chaired by the CMO, has been convened and had its first meeting on 2 November last. Membership of the team will include key stakeholders from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) management with responsibility for public health, surveillance, operations and quality assurance and patient representatives. NPHET will meet on a weekly basis and continually evaluate the readiness of the health service to manage and sustain the containment of CPE as part of ordinary operations with a view to standing down the National Public Health Emergency Team at the appropriate time. The National Public Health Emergency Team will direct and ensure an effective communications system at local, regional and national levels. Regular updates including summary minutes of meetings will be via a dedicated web page, hosted on the Department of Health website.
Ireland's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) was launched on Wednesday, 25 October last. The Plan, jointly launched by myself as Minister for Health and Minister Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been a cross-Departmental initiative, requiring a cross sectorial and whole of Government approach to addressing the world wide threat of AMR.
iNAP was developed following the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR which required all countries to have in place a national action plan by mid-2017 and by the European Commission which also required Member States to develop a national action plan by mid-2017. The Plan has been prepared by both Government Departments, with the guidance of the National Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee. This ambitious 3-year Plan has been developed in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and covers the use of antimicrobial medicines in animal health and agriculture, as well as human health - taking a 'One Health' approach to tackling AMR, encompassing all sectors. The Plan lists Strategic Interventions and Activities, responsible bodies and priority rankings of timelines for implementation. An implementation plan will be developed separately which will address means of tackling AMR as appropriate to each sector. The National Patient Safety Office (NPSO) will discuss arrangements for progressing this body of work with the HSE's HCAI National Lead and relevant others; DAFM are establishing an AMR implementation plan team to oversee its body of work in addressing the interventions and activities listed proper to the agriculture and environment sectors.
iNAP aims to ensure the development and implementation of multifaceted interventions which will safeguard against inappropriate prescribing, dispensing and consumption of medicines, while simultaneously promoting rational use in patients and animals that are expected to benefit from treatment.
Ireland is fully committed to and engaged in addressing resolution of the problem of AMR and will continue to collaborate at national, European and International levels to this end.