Written Answers Nos. 1287-1306
1288. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the drug pembro will be provided for a person (details supplied); the process to achieve approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21993/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1289. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason advanced paramedics that are qualified and work in that capacity in the UK are not being recognised here by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and are being downgraded to paramedic status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21999/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the independent statutory body with responsibility for standards of education in pre-hospital emergency care. Its functions include the recognition of qualifications and the maintenance of a statutory register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners. Accordingly, the matter raised by the Deputy has been referred to PHECC for a direct response.
1291. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address the absence of paediatric palliative care in the south east; his plans to provide this service in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22005/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPalliative Care for Children with Life-limiting Conditions in Ireland – a National Policy (2009) sets out a clear direction for the development of an integrated palliative care service for children and their families, across all care settings. Under this policy, the HSE has established a Children’s Palliative Care Programme which includes 11 clinical nurse coordinators for children with life-limiting conditions, two consultant paediatricians with a special interest in children’s palliative medicine based in Crumlin and Temple Street, and an education programme also based in Crumlin. The aim of the Clinical Nurse Coordinator (CNC) service is to co-ordinate seamless continuity of care between the acute paediatric unit, community services and the child’s home. The paediatricians provide support to parents and neonates in maternity hospitals and paediatric units.
In relation to the provision of paediatric palliative care in the south-east specifically, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1292. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of occupational therapy services (details supplied) for the Farranfore and Castleisland areas of County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1293. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if a fast track process will be introduced as a matter of urgency to allow occupational therapists that trained in the UK that are applying for degree recognition here to do so in a short time in view of the fact that applications are taking in excess of seven months from the date of submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22014/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny person who has obtained a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy from the United Kingdom must have their qualification recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC before they can register and practise the profession in Ireland.
Directive 2005/36/EC applies to all EEA nationals (and the UK until the end of the transition period) wishing to practise a regulated profession in an EU Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications. Its intention is to make it easier for certain professionals to practise their professions in European countries other than their own but due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection.
The Directive requires that applications must be acknowledged within one month and the applicant be informed of any incomplete information or missing documentation. A final decision must be communicated to the applicant within 4 months of submission of a complete application.
The Occupational Therapists Registration Board of CORU is the competent authority empowered to validate professional qualifications in Occupational Therapy which are obtained outside the State. CORU have confirmed that no application for recognition of a qualification in Occupational Therapy has exceeded the maximum timeframe allowed for in the Directive. The shortest period for making a decision in 2020 was 26 days, the average was 89 days, and the maximum was 122 days. The length of time it takes to make a decision relates to a variety of factors, including the level of difference between the qualification and the Irish standard which leads to assessment of lifelong experience to ascertain if gaps are addressed.
1295. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to A Healthy Weight for Ireland 2016–2025 Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The Plan recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under the Policy, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. The OPAP is based on the best available evidence in the Irish and international literature, and is informed by established international models and frameworks. Implementation of the Plan is overseen by a cross-sectoral and cross-Departmental Obesity Policy Implementation and Oversight Group chaired by the Department of Health.
Achievements under the OPAP to date include the introduction of a Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax in May 2018, the publication of new Healthy Eating Guidelines, Food Pyramid and supporting resources in 2017, and the development of new Nutrition Standards for Schools, with an initial focus on school meal programmes funded by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Evidence-based actions are being progressed under the Plan on a number of fronts, including the preparation of Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1 to 5 year-olds, and the finalisation of a Roadmap in relation to the reformulation of unhealthy food and drink. Both of these measures are expected to be introduced in the autumn. A Progress Report on the OPAP will be published in the coming weeks.
Obesity is a priority area for the new Government, as reflected in the Programme for Government, and for myself as Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy. Work is underway for a meeting of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group to be held before the end of September to look at the policy context and to prepare to take this work forward in the months to come.
1296. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to A Healthy Weight for Ireland 2016–2025 Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22025/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The Plan recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part.
The first Progress Report on the OPAP will be published in the coming weeks. An evaluation of the OPAP is also being prepared by the Health Research Board Centre for Diet and Health Research, University College Cork, and this is expected to be published in the coming months. It is expected that the mid-term review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan will commence in 2021.
In relation to the other matters referred to, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1298. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if plans are in place to regulate fertility treatment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22028/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. This far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation of a wide range of practices for the first time in this country, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR. The drafting of the Bill is ongoing, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
Overall, the provisions outlined within the General Scheme will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning the General Scheme.
1299. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons from direct provision centres presenting at emergency departments with suicide attempts, self-harm injuries and or overdose by location in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22029/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
1300. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of homeless persons presenting at emergency departments with suicide attempts, self-harm injuries and or overdose by location in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22030/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1301. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 677 of 21 July 2020, if he will make available copies of the NPHET document entitled Risk Register for each month since March 2020; and the reason for the delay in making these documents available [22031/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a wide range of documentation related to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has been published to date. Letters, agendas, and minutes arising from the NPHET and its subgroups are available on the Department of Health website. The papers that were discussed at NPHET meetings from 30 January 2020 to 25 February 2020 inclusive are also now available to view on the DOH website at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/.
Work is continuing to enable the publication of the papers from further NPHET meetings on the website as quickly as possible, with additional papers to be published regularly going forward. I understand that there have been some delays to this process recently in order to ensure that immediate priorities were attended to as expeditiously as possible, however I have now directed that publication of the document mentioned by the Deputy take place as soon as possible.
1302. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when surgery will take place again in University Hospital Kerry; when surgery will take place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
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.
1303. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the public health policy in relation to the testing of patients for Covid-19 prior to surgery; and if the same policy applies to public and private hospitals. [22036/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre has produced a range of guidance notes for COVID-19, including guidance for healthcare and non-healthcare settings. “Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting” contains guidance on testing for COVID-19 in patients where there is no clinical suspicion of COVID-19.
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/Infection%20Prevention%20and%20Control%20Precautions%20for%20Acute%20Settings%20-%20COVID-19.pdf
My Department does not have a remit in relation to the operation of private hospitals.
1304. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a location (details supplied). [22044/20]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1305. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide information regarding PrEP and U=U in information campaigns on HIV prevention including television and billboard advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22047/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1306. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the clinic hours and range of services to facilitate greater access to appointments for those in work in relation to the HIV clinic at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22048/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
