Wednesday, 27 Jan 2021

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (742)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

742. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there are special circumstances in which a person (details supplied) can obtain a Covid-19 vaccine for travel purposes. [3895/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (743)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

743. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when home help will be accommodated and put in place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (744)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

744. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see a dietitian by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3929/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (745)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

745. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see an allergist or get an allergy test by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3930/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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. Last year, the HSE endeavoured to optimise access to care, including allergy testing, through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities, and alternative outpatient settings.

One such initiative took place at City West Convention Centre over a period of six weeks starting early September 2020. Children's Health Ireland, in conjunction with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), arranged day case procedures for 474 long waiting patients on the CHI Clinical Immunology Waiting List to undergo Food Challenges at City West.

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 NTPF have advised my Department that as of the end December 2020 there were 2,911 patients on outpatient clinical immunology waiting lists in Ireland and 311 patients on inpatient clinical immunology waiting lists. This data, broken down by age category and hospital, is provided in the attached tables.

Outpatient Clinical Immunology Waiting List as of 23/12/2020 by Age Profile, by time-band

Sum of Amount	Column Labels
Row Labels	0-3 Months	3-6 Months	6-9 Months	9-12 Months	12-15 Months	15-18 Months	18 Months +	Small Volume Timebands	Grand Total
Beaumont Hospital	57								57
18-36 Years	14								14
36-54 Years	27								27
54-72 Years	16								16
Galway University Hospitals	99	51	100	70	67	75	52		514
0-18 Years	8	5	13	10	10	5			51
18-36 Years	36	19	31	27	25	34	19		191
36-54 Years	34	18	33	23	15	26	25		174
54-72 Years	16	9	23	10	17	10	8		93
72+ Years	5								5
								48	48
Small Volume Hospitals								13	13
0-18 Years								1	1
18-36 Years								27	27
72+ Years								7	7
Small Volume Age Group
St. James's Hospital	204	136	50	56	63	48	99		656
0-18 Years	13	11							24
18-36 Years	65	56	14	23	25	17	37		237
36-54 Years	65	55	23	21	26	21	35		246
54-72 Years	48	14	13	12	12	10	21		130
72+ Years	13						6		19
Children's Health Ireland	145	77	42	110	116	120	1026		1636
0-18 Years	145	77	42		116	120	1008		1618
18-36 Years							18		18
Grand Total	505	264	192	236	246	243	1177	48	2911

IPDC Immunology Waiting List as of 23/12/2020 by Age Profile, by time- band

Sum of Amount	Column Labels
Row Labels	0-3 Months	3-6months	6-9 Months	9-12 Months	12-15 Months	15-18 Months	18+ Months	Small Volume Timebands	Grand Total
Beaumont Hospital	63	22							85
18-36 Years	28	15							43
36-54 Years	22	7							29
54 + Years	13								13
Small Volume Hospitals								17	17
0-18 Years								5	5
18-36 Years								1	1
36-54 Years								2	2
54+ Years								9	9
St. James's Hospital							58		58
18-36 Years							14		14
36-54 Years							30		30
54+ Years							14
Children's Health Ireland	46	16	15	26	18		15		14
0-18 Years	46	16	15	26	18	15	15		151
						15	15		151
Grand Total	109	38	15	26	18	15	73	17	311

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (746)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

746. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see a community ophthalmic physician by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3931/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Addiction Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (747)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

747. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for a drug or alcohol detox bed by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3932/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (748)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

748. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for mental health services by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3933/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Counselling Services

Ceisteanna (749)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

749. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for counselling services by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3934/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Physiotherapy Services

Ceisteanna (750)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

750. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for physiotherapy in primary care by community healthcare organisation,CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3935/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Occupational Therapy

Ceisteanna (751)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

751. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3936/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (752)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

752. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on a HSE pilot scheme (details supplied); the budget for the scheme; the timeframe allowed for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3940/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (753)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

753. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if a detailed breakdown of the vaccine groups will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3942/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information, including the Provisional Vaccine Allocation Groups, is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/ .

The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (754)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

754. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the definition of a key worker in the vaccine roll-out plan and their priority in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3943/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Key workers in Group 6 are those who are providing services essential to the vaccination programme.

Key workers in Group 10 are those workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure to COVID-19. They include workers in the food supply system, public and commercial transport and other vital services.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (755)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

755. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the definition of a direct patient contact with reference to the vaccine roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3945/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 4.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (756)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

756. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the vaccination plans for mental health nurses and general staff in the mental health services in CHO 3, especially County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3946/21]