Written Answers Nos. 222-236
222. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to establishing a multi-stakeholder group to examine the efficacy of mandated risk minimisation methods in respect of prescription drugs, in particular sodium valproate, as has been called for by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39016/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with the organisation referred to by the Deputy earlier this week to discuss a number of issues relating to sodium valproate. As an outcome of this meeting, I will be asking the HSE and other relevant agencies to form a stakeholder group to consider the effectiveness of risk minimisation measures in place for sodium valproate and, potentially, for other medicines.
225. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been referred to the orthopaedic public waiting list will secure an appointment. [39021/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
226. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time physiotherapists working in University Hospital Limerick in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if the number will be increased in 2021. [39022/20]
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.
227. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time dental nurses working in CHO 3 in 2018, 2019 and to-date in 2020, in tabular form; and the number of vacant dental nurse posts currently within CHO3. [39023/20]
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.
228. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that trials and pilot programmes in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States, have shown that lung cancer screening can increase early detection of the disease and thereby improve mortality; and his plans to introduce a lung cancer screening programme given lung cancer remains Ireland’s biggest cancer killer. [39034/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 and has held four meetings to date. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.
As part of its body of work the Committee will implement an agreed methodology for accepting applications to consider new, or revisions to, existing population-based screening programmes in Ireland.
Ireland, has always evaluated the case for commencing a national screening programme against international accepted criteria – collectively known as the Wilson Jungner criteria. The evidence bar for commencing a screening programme should and must remain high. This ensures that we can be confident that the programme is effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards.
The addition of any new population-based screening programmes, or modifications to existing programmes, will be incorporated as part of the Committee's work programme following a robust, methodologically sound and detailed analysis of the evidence in each and every case against internationally accepted screening criteria.
Updates in relation to screening will be posted on the NSAC website (https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/nsac/).
229. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the findings (details supplied) of a recent Health Research Board report, published on 12 October 2020; and his plans to introduce stricter regulation on the sale and use of e-cigarettes. [39035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Research Board’s three evidence reviews in relation to e-cigarettes were conducted at the request of the Minister for Health. Their findings underscore the importance of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill which was approved by Government in 2019 and will prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products including e-cigarettes to, and by, persons under 18 years of age. The Bill will also provide for a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and of e-cigarettes, and will prohibit the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines, temporary or mobile units and at locations and events intended for children.
These measures are designed to ensure greater regulation of both e-cigarettes and tobacco products and to safeguard our children’s health by reducing their exposure to these products.
232. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if his Department and any commercial or non-commercial State bodies and private entities subsidised by 50% or more of public funding under the aegis of his Department have implemented social clauses in their public procurement contracts in the past three years (details supplied); and if so, the nature of these social clauses. [39051/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department seeks to use Office of Government Procurement framework and templates when entering into contracts valued in excess of €25,000 excluding VAT. These contracts incorporate clauses promoting compliance with environmental, social and labour laws.
In relation to contracts awarded by the HSE, as this is an operational matter, I have forwarded your query to the HSE and asked that they respond directly to you on this.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
233. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the process for a woman to report a medical complication after an at-home abortion; if such reports are recorded by general practitioners, sexual health or family planning clinics; if he will seek such reports and make them available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39059/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no requirement under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 for women or for medical practitioners to report medical complications following early medical termination of pregnancy to the Minister for Health.
The advice provided to women accessing termination of pregnancy, as is the process for any other medical procedure or treatment, is that anyone experiencing complications should contact their medical practitioner for advice.
In addition, the HSE My Options telephone service includes a telephone nursing service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is staffed by nurses and midwives, for anyone who requires advice following termination of pregnancy.
234. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) has made an application during the period from 1 January 2019 to date to become a registered provider of termination of pregnancy services; the status of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39060/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs contracts for the provision of termination of pregnancy services are made between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and individual service providers, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
235. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if a service (details supplied) has made an application during the period from 1 January 2019 to date to become a registered provider of termination of pregnancy services; the status of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39061/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs contracts for the provision of termination of pregnancy services are made between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and individual service providers, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
236. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the use of direct foetal analgesia prior to late-term abortions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39062/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. It permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The purpose of the legislation is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics. Medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice. The requirement in sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the legislation for medical practitioners to be of “the reasonable opinion, formed in good faith” emphasises that doctors must maintain professional standards and uphold medical ethics.
It would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to dictate medical treatments or treatment plans.
