Written Answers Nos. 327-351
327. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of successful applicants recruited to each CHO area as a direct result of the HSE recruitment campaigns for consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists; the length of time the campaigns have been ongoing by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41619/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
328. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS inpatient beds that have been filled each month to date in 2019; and the number of inpatient beds that remained unfilled for the same period by each CHO area in tabular form [41620/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place for community care homes in County Kilkenny facing a deficit in 2019. [41641/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if community care homes are part of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41642/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health his plans to set up a national fund to help community care homes with the cost of improvements and upgrades as a result of HIQA visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41643/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 to 331, inclusive, together.
A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own home as long as possible.
There will, however, always be people whose needs are best met in a residential care setting or supported housing model. There are 10 Supported Care Homes in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 5 providing accommodation and support services to older people with low to medium dependency levels. The residents cannot be maintained independently at home, but do not yet require nursing home care.
The HSE acknowledges the role played by these Homes in reducing possible admission to nursing homes and I have been assured by the HSE that it is committed to ensuring Supported Care Home are supported. The HSE will provide about €2.5 million in Section 39 funding this year towards the operational costs of the Homes.
HIQA is the independent statutory body established to register and inspect all residential homes for older people. The current regulatory regime aims to ensure the provision of high-quality, safe and effective services to people living in these centres, whether they are nursing homes providing 24-hour nursing care or supported care homes for people with lower dependencies.
As people get older, their housing needs may change. Earlier this year the Government published a Policy Statement “Housing Options for our Ageing Population” which provides a policy framework to support our ageing population through increasing the accommodation options available to them and give them meaningful choice in how and where they choose to live. It also sets out a package of key actions to assist the development of models of supported housing that promote integration between housing and health and social care services.
An Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Implementation Groups has been established to progress the programme of actions contained in the policy statement. This will assist in developing a menu of solutions which are available nationally to provide enhanced housing and support options for older people.
The establishment of the Implementation Groups and the implementation of the policy statement are key actions in the 2019 Sláintecare Action Plan. Many of the health related action points are influenced by and integrated with broader Sláintecare actions.
The level of funding available to supported care homes is being considered in the context of the HSE's National Service Plan for 2020.
333. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card reviews that have been carried out to date in 2019; the number that have been refused to date; and the number that have been successful to date [41673/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
334. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans or the plans of the HSE to restore allowances to a society (details supplied) that were cut during the austerity years; and his further plans to add coeliac disease to the long-term illness scheme [41674/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In September 2012, Gluten-free products were removed from the list of GMS reimbursable items, with a number of other products. These products were, by this time, more widely available and they tended to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies.
There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items.
In relation to the inclusion of Coeliac disease on the Long Term Illness Scheme, there are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time. However, the scheme will be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
I also wish to advise you that Coeliac patients may claim tax relief on medical expenses incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs, further information is available at www.revenue.ie
335. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for a first outpatient appointment across all specialties by hospital and length of time waiting in tabular form. [41675/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations made by the Ombudsman for Children will be implemented in respect off the establishment of child specific wait lists and target outpatient waits for children. [41678/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 338 together.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, and Outpatient (OP) Waiting Lists. The monthly waiting list figures are published on the NTPF website, and a breakdown of the Inpatient/Day Case waiting list by Adult & Child Analysis is published by hospital.
Outpatient waiting list information has been collected and published by the NTPF since 2013. The data represents those waiting for a first appointment at a consultant-led Outpatient clinic. The Outpatient Waiting List report shows the total number of patients waiting, across the various time bands, for a first appointment at a consultant-led Outpatient clinic. The analysis by Adult and Child is not currently published for the outpatient waiting list in a pdf format, however a breakdown by specialty by hospital/ hospital group/and by age profile is available on the NTPF website in an open source format. The NTPF has advised my Department that they are working towards publishing the outpatients waiting list by Adult & Child Analysis in a pdf format in the coming months.
The HSE Management Data Report (MDR) reports on HSE activity against Key Performance Indicators as set out in the National Service Plan for 2019. Under the National Service Plan 2019, the target for all hospital groups is for 80% of people, including children, to wait less than 52 weeks for a first Outpatient Department appointment.
The last published MDR figures are for June 2019 and report that 68.9% of patients waiting for a first Outpatient appointment across all hospitals are waiting 52 weeks or less, while 60% of patients waiting for a first Outpatient appointment at CHI hospitals are waiting 52 weeks or less.
CHI has advised that it is committed to reducing waiting lists and supporting initiatives that ensure that children receive care appropriately and in a timely manner, and in 2019 a number of initiatives were put in place to address Outpatient Waiting Lists.
For example, the new paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre in CHI at Connolly opened on 31st July 2019. This new facility offers a range of services to children and their families in the local area as well as those in Dublin North city and county and the surrounding areas in Kildare and Meath. General Paediatric Clinics are held from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. CHI has advised that the opening of CHI at Connolly is having a positive impact on CHI OPD waiting lists. At the end of September 2019, there were 4,130 patients on CHI’s General Paediatric Outpatient waiting list, which is a 35% reduction when compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, CHI at Connolly will provide a further 1,300 outpatient appointments between September and December 2019. CHI advise that they are currently in the process of expanding these clinics to provide a focus on the specific requirements for some patients including asthma, allergy, faltering growth and constipation. When fully operational, CHI at Connolly is expected to provide 17,000 outpatient appointments (General Paediatrics and Orthopaedic clinics) every year .
Management of referrals is a key enabler to reducing waiting lists, and in this regard CHI advise that they have initiated a referrals process whereby all referrals from the three children’s hospitals are managed centrally. The group is progressing its ICT requirements to have a single Patient Administration System across all CHI sites (the three children’s hospitals and CHI at Connolly).
The central referrals team, through administrative and clinical validation are ensuring that all appointment slots are used appropriately and that where appropriate, patients who do not need hospital care, are removed from the waiting list, which is assisting in the waiting list reduction.
Another example of innovation in referral pathways is the TORC project (Triage of Referral Clinics). This is one of a number of virtual clinics currently being held across CHI and involves the active triage of referrals, the provision of advice and commencement of treatment for patients. As a result, patients may then either not have to attend an outpatient clinic appointment or can begin their pathway of care prior to attendance. CHI advise that this has been very successful in achieving a discharge rate of up to 30% of patients contacted. In addition, patients can begin their diagnostics prior to attending an appointment which ensures the best use of resources and reduction in follow-up attendances for patients and their families.
CHI is continuing with a number of other initiatives including moving Dermatology referrals towards a more centralised structure together with a virtual clinic model in this specialty.
CHI continues to engage with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to secure funding for initiatives in 2019 to address access to patients for specialties including ENT, Ophthalmology, General Paediatrics, Orthopaedics and Gastroenterology.
CHI advises that recruitment of additional consultants for CHI specialties with the longest OPD waiting times (Allergy, Dermatology, Radiology, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Orthopaedics & ENT) is also underway following CHI securing additional National Service Plan funding in 2019. In appointing these positions, the multidisciplinary teams are also reviewing their current work practices and identifying new ways of working to ensure appropriate management of waiting lists.
In relation to the question raised by the deputy regarding the number of children on waiting lists for a first outpatient appointment across all specialties, the attached spreadsheet, provided by the HSE BIU, shows the breakdown by hospital in tabular form.
336. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the one-to-five-year alternative care pathway for children with comorbidities who require and cannot access timely scoliosis care in an acute hospital setting here in view of the ongoing crisis in recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals. [41676/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow for the outsourcing of scoliosis surgeries via the NTPF in view of the ongoing crisis in recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals and the excessive wait times for scoliosis surgery experienced by children. [41677/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal monitoring surgeries that have been cancelled and rescheduled in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals during 2018 and to date in 2019 due to a lack of access to a spinal monitoring team; and his views on the current spinal monitoring arrangement in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals in view of Brexit and the fact the spinal monitoring team is based in Belfast and is only on contract to the HSE. [41681/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children on suspended waiting lists for scoliosis surgery in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals; and the length of time they have been suspended. [41683/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been completely removed from scoliosis surgery waiting lists in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals since Jan 2017 without having a completed surgery. [41684/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 337, 341, 343 and 344 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials in my Department, and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.
339. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that some HSE hospitals report all adults on scoliosis waiting lists to the NTPF; and if he will supply a list of all such hospitals [41679/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials in my Department, and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.
340. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children waiting for scoliosis surgery; the number of scoliosis surgeries that have been completed in University Hospital Galway to date in 2019. [41680/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised my Department that there is an agreed clinical pathway in place for Paediatric scoliosis patients between Galway University Hospital (GUH) and Children's Health Ireland (CHI). In addition, for patients over 16 years of age there is also a pathway in place to access services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH).
Saolta Hospital Group has advised that there are currently 7 patients awaiting scoliosis surgery at Galway University Hospitals (GUH). Due to the small volume of patients waiting, to preserve patient confidentiality, a further breakdown of patients by adult/child cannot be provided. Saolta has further advised that to date in 2019, no scoliosis surgeries have taken place in Galway University Hospitals.
Saolta Hospital Group has further advised that Paediatric scoliosis patients are to be referred to CHI at Crumlin, and that they are working on treatment plans for adults who are currently awaiting scoliosis surgery at GUH.
342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on scoliosis surgery at the Mater Hospital; and the length of time they have been waiting [41682/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 investment in paediatric orthopaedics included funding to support the transition of adolescents with scoliosis from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin and Temple Street to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH). There are now agreed clinical pathways in place for the transition of adolescents (aged 16 years and over) waiting for a first time OPD/spinal review appointment. CHI have advised that at the beginning of September 2019, 17 patients have been successfully transitioned to the MMUH from CHI at Crumlin OPD waiting list.
In relation to the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for scoliosis surgery at the Mater Hospital, the HSE has advised that the number is less than 5 and as a result, to preserve patient confidentiality, the specific number of patients and length of time waiting cannot be provided.
345. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if matters raised by a person (details supplied) in regard to general practitioner services in Dunleer, County Louth, will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41689/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
346. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of day services for (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41690/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
347. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 13 November 2018, when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim whose social work qualifications were registered by the National Social Work Qualifications Board in 2004 will have a decision on applications for registration with CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41692/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a matter relating to an individual health and social care professional, the Health and Social Care Professional Council (CORU) has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
348. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to the national maternity strategy since its launch by year, action and activity. [41697/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating a Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 was published in January 2016. It represents a significant development in the delivery of national maternity policy that will fundamentally change how maternity care is delivered.
In terms of resources provided to the HSE to implement the Strategy, the Deputy may wish to note that €3m development funding was provided for maternity services in 2016, with increased funding of €6.8m provided in 2017. This included funding for additional staff, the development of specialist bereavement teams, the establishment of maternity networks and implementation of Phase 1 of the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. Further development funding of €4.15 million was provided in 2018 and €1m in 2019 to further progress the implementation of the Strategy.
As the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme is driving the implementation of the Strategy, your query has been referred to the Programme for direct response so that you can be furnished with more specific detail on the actions and activities that have been undertaken to date.
I can also confirm that additional development funding will be provided to the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme in 2020 to support the continued implementation of the National Maternity Strategy. The funding will enable us to build manpower capacity in maternity services, including the recruitment of additional consultant obstetricians/gynaecologists, in order to provide for the continued roll out of the new model of integrated care.
349. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his or the HSE's attention has been drawn to the reason an organisation (details supplied) decided against rolling out a clinical trial of suvodirsen, an investigational therapy for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41699/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirements for the conduct of clinical trials in the EU are set out in Directive 2001/20/EC, which is transposed into national law by the European Communities (Clinical Trials on Medicinal Products for Human Use) Regulations 2004, as amended.
As Minister for Health, I have no role in the authorisation of clinical trials, nor in the determination of which clinical trials are conducted in Ireland or the specific location of such trials. The decision to proceed with a clinical trial at a site within the EU, which is in compliance with the regulations, is a decision made solely by the sponsor of the clinical trial.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for the assessment of clinical trials with medicinal products conducted in Ireland. The HPRA is aware that Suvodirsen is currently undergoing clinical trials in a number of EU member states as an investigational treatment for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. There are currently no clinical trials of Suvodirsen authorised to take place in Ireland; however, the HPRA has advised that it would welcome applications from the trial sponsor.
350. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE's Valproate response project report; if this report has been submitted to his Department; if so, if he will now publish the report in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41710/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's report on its Valproate Response Project has been finalised, and was submitted to my Department yesterday. The report's contents will first need to be considered within the Department before any decision is taken regarding potential publication of the report.
351. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when an audiologist will be appointed to a clinic (details supplied); the length of time the clinic has been operating without an audiologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41716/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
