Written Answers Nos. 253-272
253. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors who have notified his Department, the HSE or other relevant body of their intention not to vaccinate patients against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9069/21]
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.
254. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to higher Covid-19 mortality rates among kidney patents; if the vaccination allocation plan has been reviewed in this regard; the level of engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9074/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for the Department of Health 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.
The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74. Vaccination of this group will start in the week beginning the 15th of February.
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.
255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Mayo; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9090/21]
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.
256. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Galway; the waiting times for each service for the choice and partnership approach, CAPA, counselling in primary care, CIPC, and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9091/21]
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.
257. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Cavan; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/21]
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.
258. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Monaghan; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9093/21]
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.
259. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Donegal; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9094/21]
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.
260. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Cork; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9095/21]
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.
261. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments under the National Counselling Service in County Wexford; the waiting times for each service for CaPA, CIPC and counselling for former residents of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/21]
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.
262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9101/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, Ireland is at level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.
The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others. It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government . The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
The various limits at all levels in the Government's Plan and the continuing imposition of public health measures are necessary to reduce transmission of COVID-19 through a reduction in the movement of people, congregation and interactions.
Under the current public health measures at level 5, people should stay at home except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes and are permitted to take exercise within 5km of home. Further information on travel restrictions within Ireland is available here:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions
It is important to emphasise, that any essential travel should be undertaken with due regard to public health safety measures.
At level 5, Religious Services can take place online and places of worship may remain open for private prayer. You may wish to note that comprehensive guidelines are in place to ensure that religious services can take place safely when they recommence:- https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/religioussettingsguidance/
Further information on religious services can be found on gov.ie here:-https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#religious-services
Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
263. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the capacity of each individual Covid-19 testing centre; the average number of tests completed per day in each of the past four weeks in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9116/21]
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.
264. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests administered in the past two weeks; the number of these that were on close contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9117/21]
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.
265. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent cancellation of all paediatric diabetes clinic appointments in the Regional Hospital Mullingar due to ongoing unsafe staffing levels; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9118/21]
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.
266. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the contact details for the sections that deal with all ongoing and established grant funding in his Department and in each agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [9131/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraContact details for sections dealing with grant funding in the Department of Health:
|
Health and Wellbeing Programme |
healthyireland@health.gov.ie |
|
Sláintecare Programme |
Slaintecare_Programme_Implementation_Office@health.gov.ie |
Queries in relation to grant funding by the Department can also be sent to info@health.gov.ie for appropriate attention.
In relation to grant funding 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 as soon as possible.
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.
267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals made by general practitioners for consultant appointments in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9147/21]
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.
268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient appointments seen by a consultant in each month in 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9148/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remained at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling throughout 2020. All hospitals followed HSE guidelines and protocols to ensure services were provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of inpatient appointments seen by a consultant in each month in 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
269. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9149/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remained at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling throughout 2020. All hospitals followed HSE guidelines and protocols to ensure services were provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of outpatient appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
270. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of planned procedure appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9150/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remained at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling throughout 2020. All hospitals followed HSE guidelines and protocols to ensure services were provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of planned procedure appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021 , as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
271. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of day case appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remained at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling throughout 2020. All hospitals followed HSE guidelines and protocols to ensure services were provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of day case appointments seen in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021 , as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
272. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient, outpatient, planned procedure and day case appointments cancelled in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021, in tabular form by each type of appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9152/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remained at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling throughout 2020. All hospitals followed HSE guidelines and protocols to ensure services were provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of inpatient, outpatient, planned procedure and day case appointments cancelled in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and in January 2021 as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
