Written Answers Nos. 47-60
47. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional intensive care unit capacity, beds and trained personnel that has been put in place since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37683/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the start of last year, permanent adult critical care capacity was 255 beds, according to the National Office of Clinical Audit. Funding for 40 additional beds was provided in March 2020, initially on a temporary basis, as part of the response to Covid-19.
The Strategic Plan for Critical Care aims to bring permanent capacity to 321 by the end of 2021 and to 446 in the longer term. This is the largest single increase in recent memory and will make a real difference to our critical care staff, who have done extraordinary work under extreme pressure throughout the pandemic.
Budget 2021 allocated €52m to the implementation of this Strategic Plan. This will retain permanently the 40 beds provided in 2020 and will add further new build capacity to bring baseline permanent capacity to 321 beds by year end. This funding also allows for workforce planning and education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.
The HSE has advised that 42 of the 66 beds funded for 2021 are now permanently open, bringing the national baseline to 297. The number of beds open on any given day fluctuates as a result of a variety of factors. The HSE has further advised that the number of staff associated with these beds is of the order of 400. Recruitment and capital works are ongoing to open the remaining beds as soon as possible.
49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed update on the discussions with a group (details supplied) with regard to the ownership and management of the new national maternity hospital; if he has considered any other sites for this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37722/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Promotion of Women’s Health is a priority for this Government. In that regard, the Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital planned for the St Vincent’s campus. The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements were set out in the Mulvey Agreement. This Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company – National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary, independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements.
While, as stated previously, my preferred option would be that the site for the new hospital was owned by the State, under the draft legal framework the State would lease the site from St Vincent’s for 99 years, with scope for a further 50-year renewal.
However, I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it provides the necessary assurances in relation to, firstly, ensuring that all legally permissible services are provided at the new hospital and, secondly, protection of the State’s investment.
In that context, there will be further engagement with all stakeholders in relation to this project, as we move toward the finalisation of the legal arrangements. However, I will not be making any further comment on the nature of this engagement until it concludes.
50. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when sunosi which is manufactured in Ireland and is available in Northern Ireland and other EU countries will be made available here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this drug has been proven to be very beneficial in the treatment of narcolepsy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35087/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the significant suffering caused to those affected by narcolepsy. Since 2012, the HSE, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and my Department have worked together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected by narcolepsy as a result of receiving the H1N1 vaccine, Pandemrix. The health supports include counselling services, physiotherapy and a discretionary medical card.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE has advised that, as of 8 July 2021, a formal application for pricing and reimbursement with respect to Solriamfetol (Sunosi) has not been received. If the marketing authorisation holder chooses to submit a pricing/reimbursement application for this medicine, it will be processed by the HSE in line with the 2013 Act.
As a country, we invest heavily in medicines, to the tune of over €2 billion annually and continue to make new and innovative treatment available to patients. The additional funding of €50m provided for new medicines in Budget 2021 has enabled the HSE to approve 29 new drugs for reimbursement.
I am also pleased to advise that the drug Patisiran (Onpattro) to treat hATTR Amyloidosis, has also been approved for reimbursement upon commencement of a Managed Access Programme, currently under development by the HSE.
51. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28069/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act”.
The review is being progressed this year and it will be led by an independent expert.
While I expect that the independent expert appointed may wish to input on the approach and methodology, at this stage I anticipate that the review will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.
have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review. This includes a cross-party Oireachtas Committee, and a group of Civil Society organisations brought together by the NWCI. I will also be meeting with clinicians providing services. That process is continuing, and the approach will be finalised in due course.
Upon completion, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
52. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare support hours being provided in counties Longford and Westmeath in 2021; the way this compares to 2020; the number of persons currently waiting for homecare in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision and waiting lists of homecare packages and home help hours in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare support hours being provided in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in 2021; the way this compares to 2020; the number of persons currently waiting for homecare in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53 and 60 together.
Home supports enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities, as well as facilitating timely discharge from hospital. Since 2018 the funding for home help and standard home care packages has operated as a single home support service.
We have made improved access to home support services a priority. In 2021 an additional investment of €150 million has been made available to fund over 24.2 million hours of home support. This is 5 million hours more than the 2020 target and represents an unprecedented level of investment and a substantial increase in service provision.
Due to the effects of the cyberattack the most recent complete data available represents the period to the end of March 2021. As of this date there were 54,112 people in receipt of home support and almost 4.7 million hours had been delivered across the country.
In Longford and Westmeath, the HSE had provided almost 130,000 hours which was about 25,000 more hours compared to March 2020. There were 1,317 people receiving the service and there was nobody waiting for approval of funding for a new or additional service.
In Mayo over 160,000 hours were provided which represented an increase of about 15,800 hours compared to the same period in 2020. There were 2,070 people in receipt of home support hours and there were 50 people waiting for approval of funding for new or additional service.
In Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal the HSE had provided almost 338,000 hours which represented an increase of 48,000 hours compared with March 2020. At the time there were 3,111 people in receipt of these hours and 131 people were waiting for funding approval.
Enabling people with care-needs to continue to live independently at home for as long as possible is a priority for the Government. To advance this, the Government is committed to establishing a new, statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services, which the Department of Health is currently developing.
54. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department is considering implementing to support those who may suffer medium or long-term after-effects of Covid-19 commonly referred to as long Covid given that the health effects impact on a wide range of aspects of daily life including increased medical needs. [25421/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features and its course are still emerging. Scientific and clinical evidence is evolving on the long-term effects of COVID-19. An increasing number of reports and studies are now being published on the topic, however, at present there is no agreement on the definition or the terminology.
We do however, know that the clinical course of viral illnesses varies between people, and that the virus that causes Covid-19 can be detected in some people for many weeks. However, this does not mean that people are infectious for a prolonged period of time.
People who have had Covid-19 are being followed up by their GP or in hospital settings. People in the community who are concerned about persistent Covid-19 symptoms should contact their GP. Treatment is currently focused on management of specific symptoms.
Specific guidance on the treatment of Long Covid is presently under development both here and internationally.
The HSE is assessing need and the best way to care for those impacted by Long COVID. I can advise the Deputy that the HSE as part of its work on post-Covid care, is now looking at how it can model the possible numbers that will be affected, noting that this will take time as more evidence emerges. I understand that the HSE has been in touch with and will be engaging with a group of people who are suffering post-Covid symptoms to inform understanding. Guidance is being developed to align needs with care provision and to develop criteria and strategies for the ongoing evaluation of patients.
The Department of Health will continue to develop an understanding of the implications of Long Covid to inform policy as appropriate.
55. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the safe access to termination of pregnancy Bill. [37739/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health.
It was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. However, a number of legal issues were identified which necessitated further consideration.
Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development. It suggests that these services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, as intended.
Where problems do arise with protests outside healthcare services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, staff and local residents.
The Department of Health has liaised with An Garda Síochána on safe access to services. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. It directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with. The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE for appropriate distribution.
Termination of pregnancy services have continued to function during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE to facilitate the smooth-running of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 13 May 2021, if the second operating theatre in Merlin Park University Hospital on which construction is due to be completed by end-2021 will also begin to carry out surgical operations by end-2021; if not, when it will be fully fitted out and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMerlin Park University Hospital provides elective Medical and Surgical (Orthopaedic and minor surgery) services, renal services including a Haemodialysis unit, two designated rehabilitation units along with a number of specialist outpatient clinics.
Funding has been provided in 2021 for this project which will deliver two Orthopaedic Theatres with ancillary accommodation for the provision of elective procedures. The theatres will be located in the vicinity of the existing main hospital block adjacent to the ground floor of the building. There will be a link corridor from the theatres to the existing hospital block.
Construction work on the development commenced in March 2021 with the project due to be completed by year end 2021. The Theatres currently under construction are expected to be equipped and become operational by the service in January 2022.
This theatre facility will replace the theatre capacity lost and will also provide some additionality as the existing theatre could be used for injection/less complex cases.
57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the implementation of the consultant-led public health model in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are committed to delivering on the recommendations that were made for Public Health in the Crowe Horwath report. The report recognised the very important role that public health medicine plays in the health of our population and in how our health service is managed and delivered.
An agreement was reached with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) in May 2021 that will support the implementation of a fundamentally reformed consultant led public health model at a national and regional level which is aligned with international best practice.
Implementation of this agreement is now in progress and finalisation of the new operating model for Public Health is expected in the coming weeks.
Further to this agreement, I also committed to significant investment in Public Health when I announced plans to double the current workforce last September, by recruiting an additional 255 permanent staff, to include public health doctors, nurses, scientists, and support staff. In a highly competitive employment market, created by the pandemic, the HSE has to date filled 152 of these roles, increasing staffing levels in our Public Health system from 254 to 406 employees. In addition to this being an important part of our response to the pandemic, it is also an investment in the future development of our Public Health function. Recruitment for the remaining positions continues to be a priority for the HSE.
58. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made to the CervicalCheck Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CervicalCheck Tribunal was established on 27 October 2020 under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members to the Tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020.
The Tribunal has indicated to my Department that it has received seven claims. I am advised that there has been further interest expressed in using the Tribunal, and it is anticipated that additional claims will be received.
The Tribunal is the most appropriate venue to hear and determine CervicalCheck claims. It has been specifically designed for that purpose. It is, of course, entirely up to eligible women as to whether or not they use it.
59. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when the group home for persons with physical and sensory disabilities at Carrickmacross, County Monaghan will be operational; and the reason the home will be operated by a private company rather than directly by the HSE. [28460/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports they require to meet their needs.
Reflecting this commitment, the HSE has allocated funding of the order of €600,000 to the disability services in CHO 1 to bring the residential service in Carrickmacross referred to by the Deputy on stream in the latter half of 2021.
My Department has been advised by the HSE that a provider has been selected and the procurement process is at the contracting phase. I also understand that the residential setting was recently inspected by an independent occupational therapist to ensure that all accessibility requirements are in place. Following that assessment, minor adaptations are being carried out.
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE may deliver health and social care services directly, through for profit providers or voluntary organisations under Section 38 or 39 of the Health Act 2004 The selection of a provider to provide quality and safety of care for service users is an operational matter for the HSE.
