Written Answers Nos. 385-404
385. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultants working in Wexford General Hospital; the number of vacancies that exist at consultant level; the number of permanent and temporary consultants; the number not on the specialist register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10091/20]
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.
386. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken by the HSE to inform retailers of wigs and hairpieces of the additional headwear grant available to medical card holders that cannot attend wig fittings during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10102/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
387. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the scheduling of operations in private hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10103/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals are treated as public patients and their treatment is prioritised based on clinical need. Provision was made under the agreement to allow for continuity of care for patients who were in a private hospital or attending for treatment at the time the Heads of Terms of Agreement were agreed, on the grounds that these patients would be treated as public patients.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for COVID-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, the measures set out in the Action Plan in Response to Covid-19 and the recommendation of NPHET. The NPHET has now recommended that steps be taken to resume non-urgent scheduled care in the context of the safe care guidelines set out by its Expert Advisory Group.
388. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if the NPHET will allow the resumption of video fluoroscopy procedures at CHI at Temple Street as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10104/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Covid-19, published on 16 March 2020, included a wide range of action areas as part of the response to Covid-19. In regard to acute hospital care, action areas related to maintaining critical and ongoing services for essential patient care, as well as related to maximising patient flow, including restriction of elective and outpatient care. On 27 March, in the context of national data showing increased spread of Covid-19, and of an updated European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control risk assessment, NPHET made a number of recommendations aimed at interrupting transmission of Covid-19, and related steps. These included that non-essential surgery, health procedures and other services should be postponed.
On 5 May, NPHET agreed that this recommendation should be replaced, from now on, in regard to acute care, with a recommendation that delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making.
Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as soon as possible in relation to the service matter raised.
389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding music schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10108/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
On 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.
The services described in the Deputy’s question are not matters within the remit of my Department. Guidance in relation to specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.
390. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the length of time the mandatory quarantine period of 14 days for international arrivals is expected to last; and when it will it be reviewed. [10123/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of imposing mandatory self-isolation for a 14-day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.
My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departmentsis developing proposals to strengthen the 14-day arrangements for travellers from overseas.
Previous general regulations restricting movement and travel, and separate regulations covering the Passenger Locator Form for incoming international travel, were timebound and sunset or due for review within a few short weeks. It is intended that a similar appproach would be adopted in relation to the possible introduction of mandatory quarantine.
391. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for the reopening of day services for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10131/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations have been closed since March. However priority service users have been identified in each CHO, and individualised supports continue to be provided to many people in alternative models particularly for these individuals with higher support needs, through alternative means such as via online support and/or regular telephone contact with families. Health and social care responses to the current public health emergency are under continuing review, including specific measures such as these to support vulnerable people.
The resumption of adult day services is currently being considered by my Department and the HSE as part of broader planning to prepare for the resumption of non-COVID-19 community and social care services in the current environment, and in line with public health guidance. My Department and the HSE has established a Joint Working Group to develop a plan for Community Capacity.
The HSE is finalising plans to re-establish vital non-covid supports and services. This includes very careful and detailed work on the part of the Disability Sector with national guidance and will result in directing how all funded agencies can deliver services on a medium to long-term basis. Community Healthcare Organisations and Section 38/39 agencies continue to work together at a regional level in order to plan and co-ordinate efforts. Considering the very serious nature of this pandemic and the vulnerability of people with disabilities as a care group, any plans to safely commence all disability services and supports must comply with guidance developed by the National Public Surveillance Centre in the HSE.
The HSE has now developed a number of important guidance documents to assist disability services: the Framework for Resumption of Adult Day Services and Reshaping Disability Services From 2020 & Beyond. It is important to note that this guidance is interim and subject to change in line with the overall management of the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with contemporary Public Health Guidance.
These documents are now also available on the following website:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/
392. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if establishing a helicopter pad for the safe landing of the air ambulance in Castlerea, County Roscommon will be considered; the estimated associated costs to provide such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10132/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked it to respond to you directly in this matter.
393. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if using the unspent money in the mental health budget to assist and support an organisation (details supplied) to ensure its services can continue will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10133/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly as soon as possible.
394. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if the list of high-risk nursing homes drafted by HIQA and sent to the HSE at the end of February or early March 2020 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10134/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 13th March HIQA provided the Department with a list of 19 HSE/HSE funded nursing homes identifying that as these had multi-occupancy rooms this created infection prevention risk. This information was sent by the Department to the HSE on the same day for their attention and the HSE has confirmed on-going risk management of these centres.
On 29th and 30th of March key officials from the Department, HIQA, HPSC and HSE met to discuss nursing homes. It was agreed that representatives from the Department, HIQA, HSE and HSPC would collaborate to prepare a paper, encompassing a framework of necessary information, for consideration by the NPHET at its meeting of 31st March on the specific issues and risks relating to COVID-19 infections in residential healthcare facilities. To inform the development of the paper, HIQA provided an information framework document to the team on March 30th. A variety of potential risks were identified. These included the risk of small providers, access to infection prevention and control (IPC) advice, access to PPE and timely access to testing. Following consideration of the paper referred to at the above NPHET meeting of 31st March, NPHET requested HIQA to risk assess all nursing homes and liaise with relevant national and regional governance structures as necessary in light of mitigating actions. This was part of an overall package of public health measures recommended following this meeting.
At the NPHET meeting 17th April an action was agreed that ‘HIQA publishes and assesses a COVID-19 Quality Assurance Regulatory Framework’. This Framework has been designed to ensure that providers are prepared for, and have contingency plans in place for, an outbreak of COVID-19. As part of the programme HIQA has developed a self-assessment tool for nursing home providers. This self-assessment tool sets out the minimum standard required to effectively respond to an outbreak of COVID-19 in a designated centre. This involves a self-assessment by the registered provider and an onsite assessment by inspectors of social services to verify the provider’s compliance against specified regulations.
If further action is required by the registered provider to ensure compliance with the specified regulations, a compliance plan will be issued to the registered provider by the inspector of social services following the in-site assessment.
I note that during the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response debate on the 26th May 2020, in discussion on this particular matter, HIQA was requested by the Chairperson of the Committee that institutions not be named. HIQA is engaging with all providers in the context of the regulatory framework and as noted, compliance plans are issued by HIQA, as appropriate.
395. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the nursing homes to which the 45 patients were transferred to from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, County Louth from 1 March to 6 May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10135/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
396. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the nursing homes whose operational control was taken over by a hospital group; the nature and extent of the assistance provided by the hospital group; the time frame of the intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10136/20]
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
397. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the way in which CHO8 made a determination to contact the RCSI hospital group and for the group to take over operational control at a nursing home (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10137/20]
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.
398. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the dates for which he approved of and appointed each member of NPHET in tabular form. [10144/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra399. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if persons were appointed to NPHET without his knowledge or prior approval; and if so, the way in which and when the appointments occurred. [10145/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) structure is a long-standing mechanism utilised over many years to steer health service responses to public health emergencies as required by Ireland’s obligations under the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations.
These Regulations require State parties to establish multidisciplinary/multisectoral teams to respond to events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. This necessitates flexibility in the composition of these national teams in order that they can appropriately respond to major public health emergencies.
As the Deputy is aware, the NPHET for COVID-19 is accountable to me as Minister for Health and is made up of senior public officials of the Department of Health and a number of relevant State Agencies, in addition to highly qualified subject matter experts from disciplines such as virology, infectious diseases, intensive care etc. who are among the leading practitioners in their fields in this country.
The NPHET can add to its membership on the basis of the additional expertise or support it identifies as being required so as to ensure that it is in the best possible position to provide the advice and recommendations for consideration by the Minister for Health and the Government. These are the criteria on which the NPHET identifies the requirement for particular expertise. This flexibility in approach to selection is necessary for a group such as this in the context of an international public health crisis of the kind we are currently experiencing due to the pandemic, and give effect to Ireland’s obligations to the WHO.
A wide range of documentation related to NPHET, including as regards the governance process under which operates, has been published to date and it is intended to continue this process to ensure that the process by which the NPHET's recommendations have been reached is as transparent as possible.
401. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that applied to be part of the Be on Call for Ireland initiative; the number that were subsequently recruited into the health service via the scheme; the amount paid to agency companies in respect of the scheme by company and amount in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10168/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
402. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the 5km to 20km outlined in phase 3 of Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business could be extended from 5km to 50km for rural areas in view of the fact distances to travel to essential services are further to reach than in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10189/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner.
Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2 .
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
As the Deputy may be aware, from the start of Phase 2 (8 June, 2020) you may travel within your own county, or 20 kilometres from your home if you are crossing county boundaries, to visit local venues or amenities such as parks and shops that have reopened as part of the Government’s roadmap.
403. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when cocooning groups will be able to shop for essential items in view of the fact it is not listed in the Roadmap of Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10190/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
As we move on to Phase 2 of the Government's roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions, retail and other sectors which will reopen under this phase, are encouraged to designate specific retail hours for over 70s and medically vulnerable.
The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) 'Guidance on cocooning to protect people over 70 years and those extremely medically vulnerable from COVID-19' offers practical assistance as we move into a new phase of the roadmap and advises that people who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should continue to protect themselves and stay at home as much as possible to minimise all nonessential contact with people who are not cocooning themselves.
404. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if businesses not listed in phases 2 and 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business could be considered for reopening if a satisfactory plan for these businesses to adhere to social distancing guidelines can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10191/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
On 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.
It should also be noted that guidance in relation to specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.
