Written Answers Nos. 832-856
832. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the way in which an organisation (details supplied) can draw down funding committed by his Department for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8510/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
834. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if the details and protocols for the orthodontics treatment aspect of the planned Northern Ireland healthcare scheme have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8514/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland, such as orthodontic treatment. It should be noted that the scheme operates on parameters similar to the EU Cross Border Directive. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly for further information on individual applications and types of treatment available under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Furthermore, patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries. In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
835. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the protocols and process in place in respect of the administration of vaccinations with particular reference for MMR and hepatitis B in direct provision centres throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8525/21]
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.
836. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting lists and difficulty in accessing general practitioner services in New Ross, County Wexford for persons with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8528/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra837. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to conduct a review of general practitioner services capacity issues in New Ross, County Wexford. [8529/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 837 together.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are almost 2,500 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme and as at 1 January,18 panels, or less than 1%, are vacant. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. There are currently no vacancies in New Ross.
Where a medical card or GP visit card holder experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, or where the person has been removed from another GP's list or refused entry onto a GP's list, the HSE has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement GP. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 214 in 2020, with a further increase foreseen in 2021. The ICGP noted a record number of applications for the 2021 GP training programme.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
838. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to use community pharmacists in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme given their experience in rapid and effective vaccination. [8531/21]
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.
839. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the practice will be examined by which general practitioners in the HSE mid-west region are responsible for the financial cost of disposing of clinical waste such as needles, syringes and used PPE while this cost is not borne by general practitioners in other HSE regions (details supplied); if the matter will be corrected in order to cover the cost incurred by general practitioners in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8534/21]
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.
841. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 635 of 8 December 2020, when the gay men’s health service will reopen; the reason Ireland’s only dedicated sexual health and well-being service for gay and bisexual men, men who have sex with men and the transgender community remains closed despite assurances that a phased reopening would commence early in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8544/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. The closure of the GMHS in 2020 related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Since the closure, significant efforts have been made to maintain service provision.
All health services are again facing restrictions, as the health system needs to prioritise treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme. Notwithstanding these pressures, CHO6 are continuing to work to reopen the GMHS on a phased basis. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing, with administration staff in post and IT expansion underway.
Existing PrEP users are now being facilitated in GMHS. The Clinic Consultant and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing, with support from agency nurses. Those with diagnosed STIs will be treated in GMHS also.
Officials from my Department are in regular contact with the HSE to monitor progress on the phased reopening of the service.
842. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if staff from the gay men’s health service are still redeployed to Covid-19 services; and if so, the services in which they are redeployed in tabular form. [8545/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gay Men's Health Service is a community STI service and is managed through HSE Community Healthcare East (CHO6).
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. The closure of the GMHS in 2020 related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Since the closure, significant efforts have been made to maintain service provision.
All health services are again facing restrictions, as the health system needs to prioritise treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme. Notwithstanding these pressures, CHO6 are continuing to work to reopen the GMHS on a phased basis. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing (with administrative staff in post) and IT expansion underway.
Existing PrEP users are now being facilitated in GMHS. The Clinic Consultant and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users can also attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing, with support from agency nurses. Those with diagnosed STIs will be treated in GMHS also.
Officials from my Department are in regular contact with the HSE to monitor progress on the phased reopening of the service.
The details of redeployment are a service matter, therefore I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
843. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he plans to resume the pilot home test STI screening service recently launched by the HSE; the steps his Department is taking to fund and resource this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is currently piloting a free home STI/HIV testing service, supported by the Sláintecare Integration Fund, in Dublin, Cork and Kerry. The first phase of tests were made available early January and additional tests will be made available over the coming months. Tests are being made available in a phased manner to ensure there is sufficient capacity in local clinics for service users who may need follow-up treatment or support.
In terms of further detail, and as this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
844. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if private providers of Covid-19 tests are required to report their results to the Chief Medical Officer; the way these tests are accounted for in daily case figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8547/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, the national testing strategy for COVID-19 involves testing people who meet the case definition (people with symptoms), their identified close contacts, and established serial testing programmes. It is directed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and coordinated by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The national testing strategy has been implemented to ensure that:
- test results are reported to the relevant stakeholders (for monitoring and surveillance purposes as COVID-19 is a notifiable disease);
- contact tracing activities are initiated (where appropriate);
- an incorrect test result does not lead to false reassurance resulting in individuals failing to seek the necessary medical help. During this time, the individual may also unknowingly spread the virus;
Under the Infectious Disease Regulations (S.I. No. 53/2020 - Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 which amended the Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 (S.I. No. 390 of 1981), all medical practitioners, including clinical directors of diagnostic laboratories, are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) / Director of Public Health of certain diseases, including COVID-19.
The MOH also reports such cases onwards to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). This is to ensure that test results are reported to relevant stakeholders for monitoring and surveillance purposes and to investigate cases, thus preventing spread of infection and further cases. This requirement also applies to all private testing services who are, therefore, legally obliged to report positive Covid-19 case to the relevant authorities.
As Minister for Health, I do not have statutory responsibility relating to the provision of privately operated COVID-19 testing facilities. However, the HSE has published guidance for private testing laboratories undertaking SARS-CoV-2 testing to ensure that all tests are reported and dealt with in an appropriate manner, and in line with our infectious disease legislation.
846. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on a situation (details supplied) in which Covid-19 vaccines had to be discarded due to not being stored properly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8550/21]
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.
847. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults on the dental appointment waiting list in each county; the average waiting times for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8570/21]
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.
848. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults on the orthodontic waiting lists in each county; the average waiting times for appointments; the number waiting more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8571/21]
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.
849. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on the CAMHS waiting list in each county; the average waiting time; the number waiting more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8572/21]
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.
850. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for homecare support in each county; the total number of hours allocated in each of the past 12 months in each county; the average number of hours granted to each successful applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8573/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
851. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting for a colonoscopy in Cavan General Hospital; the number that have been waiting up to 30, 30 to 60, 60 to 90 and more than 90 days, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8574/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra852. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an endoscopy in Cavan General Hospital; the number that have been waiting up to 30, 30 to 60, 60 to 90 and more than 90 days, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8575/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 852 together.
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.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached document. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that due to Statistical Disclosure Control reasons, to protect patient identity, they cannot break the figures down below the provided time-bands.
IPDC Colonoscopy and Endoscopy Waiting List at Cavan General Hospital as of 28/01/2021
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
Grand Total |
|
Cavan General Hospital |
||||
|
Endoscopy |
429 |
60 |
7 |
496 |
|
Colonoscopy |
460 |
71 |
531 |
|
|
Grand Total |
889 |
131 |
7 |
1027 |
853. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies at Cavan General Hospital; the grade of each vacancy; the length of time of the vacancy in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8576/21]
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.
854. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a needs assessment in each CHO area; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8577/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra855. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a speech and language appointment in each CHO area; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to12 and more than 12 months, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8578/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra856. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an occupational therapy appointment in each CHO area; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 854 to 856, inclusive, together.
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.
