Seán Sherlock
Ceist:983. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the therapies and procedures curtailed in each hospital since 3 January 2020. [1272/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (983)
Freagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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 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.
Question No. 984 answered with Question No. 767.
Question No. 985 answered with Question No. 765.
Eating Disorders
Ceisteanna (986)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:986. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if funding for eating disorders has been diverted; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (987)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:987. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 988 answered with Question No. 911.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (989, 990)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:989. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with his counterpart in the UK in relation to the current Covid-19 surge and the impact of newly-detected variants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeale Richmond
Ceist:990. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to a co-ordinated approach to tackle Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1296/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 989 and 990 together.
There has been, and continues to be, significant engagement and cooperation between the Ministers for Health, the Chief Medical Officers, and the Departments of Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland throughout this pandemic.
The administrations are seeking to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so and on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers. This pragmatic approach is underpinned a Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland in April 2020 to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, this overarching MoU was supplemented with a further MoU in relation to a framework for mutual support for the provision of critical care.
Meetings of the North South Ministerial Council are also an important pillar in our regular engagements with Northern Ireland counterparts on COVID-19.
Questions Nos. 991 and 992 answered with Question No. 929.
Question No. 993 answered with Question No. 765.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (994)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:994. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the way in which persons can volunteer their service to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 995 answered with Question No. 911.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (996)
David Cullinane
Ceist:996. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if restrictions on travel from the place of residence under the new lockdown, including for travelling beyond general travel or distance restrictions, would prohibit parents of children with autism spectrum conditions from taking their children out to care for their general well-being and mental health; the extent to which the regulations may confine their ability to do this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1310/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is currently at Level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.
At Level 5, people are asked to stay at home as much as possible unless they have a "reasonable excuse" for leaving.
The regulations providing for these measures are set out in S.I. No. 701 of 2020. Regulation 4. of SI 701 sets out a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for leaving one’s home. This non-exhaustive list includes at 4. (2) (k) to attend to vital family matters, including the provision of care to a vulnerable person.
I am grateful to the Deputy for bringing this important matter to my attention.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (997)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:997. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the roll-out of the extension of the general practitioner visit card for children under six years of age will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1313/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop. At present all children under six years of age are eligible for a GP visit card and therefore GP care without charges.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion will be the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8.
The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context and in anticipation of the usual increase in demand for healthcare services over the winter period. This date will be determined following consultation with the IMO. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (998)
David Cullinane
Ceist:998. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on a first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon in Children's Health Ireland and other hospitals across the HSE in tabular form; the length of wait for each child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further to the deferral of most routine scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of last year due to the pandemic, the HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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.
In relation to the information requested by the Deputy, the attached spreadsheet outlines the number of children awaiting a first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon in Children’s Health Ireland and other hospitals across the HSE in tabular form.
In the Irish health system, patients are generally referred for children’s hospital services up to the eve of their 16th birthday, however, there are exceptions. The NTPF classify children/adults as follows:
- Child only hospitals - all patients are classed as children, regardless of age.
- Adult only hospitals - all patients are classed as adults, regardless of age.
- Adult and Child Hospitals - patients under the age of 16 are classed as children, all other patients are classed as adults.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (999)
David Cullinane
Ceist:999. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting on scoliosis surgery in Children's Health Ireland, Cappagh and the Mater in tabular form; the length of wait for each child and category of wait list, including all categories, that is, active, to come in, suspended and planned procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1336/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures, including scoliosis services, remains a priority of Government. Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic last year, by 31 December 2020 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) had carried out 322 scoliosis procedures, 163 of which were spinal fusions, and 159 other spinal procedures. Overall, scoliosis activity figures for 2020 were 16% lower than in the previous year, despite significant social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements.
Scoliosis activity accounts for 20% of overall orthopaedic activity across CHI. In recent years there has been an increased investment in paediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis services, which has improved access to surgery and outpatient appointments. In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI; previously the Children’s Hospital Group) was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services.
This funding supported the recruitment of approximately 60 WTE in 2018 and 2019 to enable the expansion of paediatric orthopaedic services including scoliosis services. The posts relate to the multidisciplinary team at diagnosis, pre-assessment, during surgery in theatre, and post operatively. The majority of posts were allocated to each hospital in 2018.
On 2 January 2021, the HSE issued correspondence to the Acute hospital system advising of the need to curtail scheduled elective care. This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and the projected trend in admissions based upon community transmission levels of Covid-19. CHI has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive rather than a blanket cessation of all activity as was done in March/April last year.
CHI have confirmed that urgent Outpatient appointments continue to be held face to face, while some routine appointments have been deferred. Many specialties have switched to virtual appointments with some blended face to face appointments where deemed appropriate.
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 have confirmed that this position will be reviewed weekly throughout January.
Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as the current two-metre distancing, have had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, including scoliosis procedures. However, Children’s Health Ireland have confirmed that time dependent and urgent procedures will continue to be undertaken in CHI.
In relation to the specific query raised regarding the number of children currently waiting on scoliosis surgery in Children’s Health Ireland, Cappagh and the Mater, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1000)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1000. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the actions which will be taken to ensure four-month surgery targets are met for children with scoliosis during 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures, including scoliosis services, remains a priority of Government. Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic last year, by 31 December 2020 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) had carried out 322 scoliosis procedures, 163 of which were spinal fusions, and 159 other spinal procedures. Overall, scoliosis activity figures for 2020 were 16% lower than in the previous year, despite significant social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements.
In recent years there has been an increased investment in paediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis services, which has improved access to surgery and outpatient appointments. In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI; previously the Children’s Hospital Group) was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services. Scoliosis activity accounts for 20% of overall orthopaedic activity across CHI.
This funding supported the recruitment of approximately 60 WTE in 2018 and 2019 to enable the expansion of paediatric orthopaedic services including scoliosis services. The posts relate to the multidisciplinary team at diagnosis, pre-assessment, during surgery in theatre, and post operatively. The majority of posts were allocated to each hospital in 2018.
On 2 January 2021, the HSE issued correspondence to the Acute hospital system advising of the need to curtail scheduled elective care. This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and the projected trend in admissions based upon community transmission levels of Covid-19. CHI has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive rather than a blanket cessation of all activity as was done in March/April last year.
CHI have confirmed that urgent Outpatient appointments continue to be held face to face, while some routine appointments have been deferred. Many specialties have switched to virtual appointments with some blended face to face appointments where deemed appropriate.
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 have confirmed that this position will be reviewed weekly throughout January.
Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as the current two-metre distancing, have had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, including scoliosis procedures. However, Children’s Health Ireland have confirmed that time dependent and urgent procedures will continue to be undertaken in CHI.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1001)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1001. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when child specific wait lists, a recommendation of the 2017 report Waiting for Scoliosis Treatment: A Children' Rights Issue, will be in place across the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1338/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is a corporate body with functions and responsibilities as set out under Statutory Instrument 179 - National Treatment Purchase Fund (Establishment) Order, 2004. One of functions of the NTPF Board is to collect, collate and validate information in relation to persons waiting for hospital treatment in acute public hospitals in Ireland.
In his 2017 Report on Scoliosis, the Ombudsman for Children recommended the publication of child-specific waiting lists. The NTPF has advised that work is underway on the separation of adult and child waiting lists for inpatient, day case and outpatient waiting lists in public hospitals. The associated Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) issues that arise from this have presented a number of significant challenges which have delayed the project, however the NTPF have advised my Department that they plan to be in a position to publish these reports later in Q1 2021.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1002)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1002. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the hospitals which count all those waiting on outpatient appointments as adults and which do not collect and report child specific wait lists to the NTPF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1339/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that each hospital supplies a weekly Waiting List extract to the NTPF in accordance with the defined Outpatient Waiting List Minimum Dataset (MDS). One of the fields in this dataset is the Date of Birth of the patient.
In the Irish health system, patients are generally referred for children’s hospital services up to the eve of their 16th birthday, however, there are exceptions. The NTPF classify children/adults as follows:
- Child only hospitals – all patients are classed as children, regardless of age.
- Adult only hospitals – all patients are classed as adults, regardless of age.
- Adult and Child Hospitals – patients under the age of 16 are classed as children, all other patients are classed as adults.
The attached document, provided by the NTPF, details which category each hospital falls under.
Question No. 1003 answered with Question No. 798.
National Children's Hospital
Ceisteanna (1004)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:1004. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently address concerns that the same insulation cladding that was found to have escalated the Grenfell fire in London is being used in the construction of the National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Ceisteanna (1005, 1006)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:1005. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the legislation giving effect to the nursing home support schemes will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarol Nolan
Ceist:1006. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if concerns or obstacles have been identified by his Department with respect to the introduction of aspects of the proposed reforms to the nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1005 and 1006 together.
Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means, while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, in its current form, does not place caps on the financial assessment of family farms or family businesses when calculating the means to pay for nursing home care, except in the case of sudden illness or disability.
The Department of Health has proposed a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. This change has been approved by Government and undergone pre-legislative scrutiny in the last Dáil. The stated policy objective of the general scheme of the Bill is to introduce further safeguards in the Scheme to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood.
Progress on the development of the Bill was negatively impacted by the dissolution of the last Dáil and by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority. However, work on this legislation has continued to progress. I have exchanged letters with the Business Committee requesting a waiver to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny, given this was already undertaken in the previous Dáil. I have met with the Attorney General to discuss this legislation, and there has been an ongoing and active engagement between the Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General on the development of the legislation, which will be brought to the Houses of Oireachtas at the earliest possible opportunity.
Question No. 1007 answered with Question No. 792.