Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 19 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 126-145

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (126)

John Lahart

Ceist:

126. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the cancer strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50621/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past four years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). 

The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report 2020 was published on 5th May. This sets out the progress achieved on the implementation of the 52 recommendations of the Strategy, and the degree to which the key performance indicators are being met, to the end of 2020. It is available on the Department of Health website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd03f-national-cancer-strategy-implementation-report-2020/.

New development funding of €20m was provided for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year.  This funding is being used to support ongoing initiatives and to drive improvements across all stages of the cancer continuum, including to:

- progress cancer prevention initiatives;

- improve performance of Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for breast, lung and prostate cancers.  The aim is to see all patients within the agreed KPIs; 

- improve access to diagnostics for patients with cancer tumours not covered by an RAC (only covers breast, lung and prostate);

- address the increasing, and more complex, demand for radiation oncology, including the provision of essential staffing requirements for the new facility in CUH, and the development of the new facility in UHG; 

- enhance medical oncology services to meet the growing need; 

- increased use of previously approved cancer drugs with increasing patient numbers; 

- further centralisation of cancer surgery; and 

- continue the development of survivorship services, including psycho-oncology services, to improve quality of life of those living with and beyond cancer.

Furthermore, an additional €12m was allocated in 2021 specifically for the restoration of cancer services in the context of Covid-19. This funding is supporting hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, providing additional clinics, increasing diagnostic capacity, and providing locum support.

I have now secured a further €20m in Budget 2022 to maintain the momentum in the delivery of the National Cancer Strategy

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (127)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

127. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the way in which capacity will be managed with the expansion of free general practitioner care for six and seven year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50825/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Increasing access to GP care without charges for children is 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.

The expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under is planned on a phased basis to limit the impact the expansion might have on GP capacity; the initial stage of this phased expansion to 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. This date will be determined following consultation with the IMO.

The Government has undertaken several measures in recent years to increase the sustainability of general practice and its attractiveness as a career. Under the 2019 GP Agreement investment in general practice is set to increase by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023, providing for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs. Improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements have also been made, and supports introduced for rural practices and practices in areas of urban deprivation. 

The number of entrants to GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 233 this year, with large increases made in recent years. Further increases are expected as responsibility for training has transferred from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners.    

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (128)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

128. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of his review into primary care facilities. [50810/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The primary responsibility for both the provision and the maintenance and operation of primary care facilities, including Primary Care Centres (PCCs), falls to the HSE.  The HSE provide quarterly reports to the Department on the progress of the development of PCCs that show information on both operational and non-operational PCCs and allows the Department to review progress on an ongoing basis.

In this regard, there continues to be good progress in the development and rollout of PCCs, with 145 centres now operational, up from 70 at the end of 2012.  Three more PCCs are expected to become operational before the end of 2021 and a further 24 are scheduled to open in 2022.   

As we implement Sláintecare, the way in which health and social care services are organised is changing.  This includes the ongoing establishment of Community Health Networks and community specialist teams under the Enhanced Community Care programme.  Recognising that the ECC provides for the employment of approximately 3,500 additional WTEs, a comprehensive programme of work has commenced under the auspices of the HSE ECC Steering Group to ensure appropriate development of primary care infrastructure. 

This programme of work is examining the accommodation requirements arising under the ECC programme and it is understood that it is closely aligned with the overall Capital Development Programme, Sláintecare proposals and the Primary Care Centre Development Programme. It is anticipated that the HSE will share this plan with the Department for consideration and review in due course.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (129)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

129. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 809 of 28 September 2021, if, considering that a high volume of breast cancer cases are oestrogen-driven and many women experience hormonal changes from the age of 40 onwards, he has considered extending breast check screening to all women from 40 years of age to 69 years of age and introducing ultrasound screening for all women from 25 years of age to 40 years of age in addition to women of 70 years of age and over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50833/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service. In this regard and in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, BreastCheck are now implementing the commitment on age-extension so that all women aged between 50 to 69 years are invited for routine breast screening.

It is vital we remember that breast screening is a population health screening measure. It is not an individual diagnostic test. The balance between the benefits of screening and the potential harms or risks to the population as a whole require careful, evidence-based consideration and balancing.

As with all our national screening programmes, BreastCheck delivers its services in line with international criteria for population-based screening programmes, which are kept under constant review.

In relation to consideration of any future changes to the BreastCheck Programme such as further extending the age range, or modifying the methods for screening, any such decisions will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). 

This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice.

The NSAC is currently finalising plans for its first ‘annual call’ which will be announced in the coming weeks. Applications for proposals for new population-based screening programmes and modifications to existing programmes, such changes in the age of those eligible for screening, will be welcomed from the public as well as the HSE, health professionals and other professional bodies. 

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (130)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

130. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 in each local health office area in CHO3; the corresponding figures for each area at the end of June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50552/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (131)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

131. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the way the funding will be disbursed to address waiting lists such as the €250 million allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50839/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has provided an additional allocation of €250 million in budget 2022, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.

The additional €250 million is being provided from Covid-19 funding and will be used to fund additional activity in the public and private sectors, including expanding access for GPs to diagnostics. It will also be used to fund continuing reforms in the Health Service. These reforms will be set out in a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan, which is currently being finalised. The exact allocation this funding will be considered as part of the development of the National Service Plan.

At the beginning of October, I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan was drawn up in consultation between my Department, the Health Service Executive and the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Using the €210 million provided for improving access to care in 2121 it is focused on immediately addressing the increase in acute hospital waiting lists arising from the impact of Covid-19 and the cyberattack earlier this year.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (132)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

132. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the details of progress made in addressing the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders Goals 2021. [50794/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (133)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

133. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being taken to address the issue in relation to the recruitment of psychologists for CAMHS in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48619/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (134)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

134. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 in each local health office area in CHO 4; the corresponding figures for each area at the end of June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50602/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Overcrowding

Ceisteanna (135)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

135. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to tackle overcrowding in hospitals coming into the winter period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50835/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish, at the outset, to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country.

I am aware that in recent weeks, emergency department attendances have been in line with levels usually seen during the winter months. Attendance figures have now reached 2019 levels at some sites. In 2019, there were over 1.34 million attendances at EDs nationally, and of these, 350,000 required admission to hospital.

The health sector is expecting to face significant challenges this winter in providing emergency care while also dealing with Covid-19 in addition to the normal challenges of the Winter period.

In response to these challenges, the Government , through the 20/21 Winter Plan and budget ’21, invested €1.2bn to fund significant initiatives across the health service in the acute, community care and primary care sectors. These initiatives aim to reduce demand on emergency care by, for example, providing additional bed capacity,  alternative care pathways outside the acute sector and additional home support. The Government has maintained this level of investment in budget 2022 and provided a  further €22m to enhance specific additional winter initiatives in 2022. 

The HSE is to submit a plan to me which will ensure that the health service is prepared for the challenges of Winter 21/22 and will  reflect the substantial level of investment being committed to by Government. The plan will implement new ways of working, open additional capacity and continue to enhance infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities, thereby providing for the appropriate, safe and timely care for patients by ensuring insofar as possible that effective levels of capacity and resources are in place to meet the expected growth in activity levels.

Ambulance Service

Ceisteanna (136)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

136. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the ambulance protocols governing the tasking of ambulances covering cardiac episodes in the west County Waterford area during out-of-hours; if they are fit for purpose and provide for best patient outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50871/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (137, 177)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

137. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made to date in identifying a site for the new elective hospital in Cork under the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023; if consideration will be given to the site at St. Stephen’s Hospital, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45571/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

177. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed elective hospital in County Cork. [50812/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 177 together.

The development of elective hospital facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway is in line with the Health Service Capacity Review, the Programme for Government, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023 and was most recently referenced in the National Development Plan.

The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, under the joint governance of the HSE, Department of Health and Sláintecare, is guiding the development of the elective hospitals, following the process outlined in the Public Spending Code (PSC).

A Strategic Assessment Report, as defined in the PSC, has been completed and was approved in February 2021 setting out the rationale for investment, the alignment of the programme with strategic requirements of Government, some initial options, and the governance of the programme.

The next stage, a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) has been completed and is currently undergoing internal evaluation in my Department. If approved internally, the preliminary business case will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for further review. If all Public Spending Code requirements are met, it is expected that a Memo for Government seeking approval-in-principle to proceed to the next stage of the Spending Code would be brought.

As part of the process, the Oversight Group made a public call for site submissions. As the deliberative process is ongoing the details of sites submitted or under consideration following that call are not being identified.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (138)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the rationale for restricting the funding of mental health to below 6% of the health budget when the ask of mental health campaigners is to increase it up to 12% of the total health budget in line with the average across the OECD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50799/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The development of all aspects of mental health services remains a priority for Government. This is reflected in the current Programme for Government, Sharing the Vision - A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and the HSE National Service Plans.

2022 will see another record spend of €1.149 billion for mental health services. This includes an additional €47 million on 2021, comprising €24 million for new developments, €10 million for mental health initiatives in response to Covid and €13 million for existing level of service.

Separately, another €10 million is being made available in 2021, aimed at supporting the community and voluntary pillar in the mental health sector.

In 2022 this represents 5.4% of the overall provision of €21.337 billion for the HSE.

However, this figure does not include funding for other parts of the health service that provide mental health services and supports, such as psychotropic medicines funded by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, liaison mental health services in acute hospitals, some dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health) services and mental health and well-being promotion. It does not include the cost of the Mental Health Commission. 

Nor does it include spending by other departments on services that incorporate psychological or mental health supports, such as the Prison and Probation Services, Social Protection, Defence Forces, Department of Foreign Affairs supporting the Irish diaspora or the Department of Education.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (139)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

139. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the current number of beds in Belmullet district hospital; his plans to increase this number in advance of winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50801/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Emergency Departments

Ceisteanna (140)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

140. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); the likely timeline involved; if consideration will be given to using the adjacent Covid-19 assessment unit at later point as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50816/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The extension project to the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital comprises a new ground floor extension to the ED, reconfiguration of the existing ED (7 additional ED assessment & treatment spaces), and a new first floor Medical Assessment Unit (10 spaces). 

It is planned that a design team will be selected, and that the design process will commence, by January 2022.  An indicative project timeline envisages completion of construction in 2026.

There are no plans at present to use the Covid-19 assessment unit as in interim measure.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (141, 148)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with colleagues in relation to the advanced practice proposals and pay parity claim by medical scientists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50517/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

148. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent ballot (details supplied) to approve industrial action regarding pay, conditions, and career structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50819/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 148 together.

I acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication has been a key component of our managing of the pandemic.

Health Management have been engaging with the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association on various industrial relations issues, under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.  

As you may be aware, the current Public Service Agreement, "Building Momentum", includes a process of Sectoral Bargaining. The MLSA are a signatory to this agreement, and they have requested and have been facilitated with their own bargaining unit in the sectoral bargaining process. This will be the mechanism they can use to advance their claims.

My Department and the HSE remain open to engagement with the MLSA, but are compelled to resolve any disputes in compliance with the provisions allowed for under Building Momentum.

Care of the Elderly

Ceisteanna (142)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

142. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the additional supports Budget 2022 is providing for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50693/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This Government is committed to ensuring that those living with dementia have access to the right services and supports to help them to live well in their communities.  

As Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, I was delighted to be able to announce an additional allocation of €7.3 million in Budget 2022 for dementia services. I am confident that this investment will continue to improve diagnosis and access to services for people with dementia across the country .

The additional funding will allow for the further improvement of dementia services, including in the areas of memory assessment and support services, memory technology resource rooms, the implementation of the dementia registry and dementia audit within acute hospitals and the national intellectual disability memory service. The details will be finalised over the coming weeks with the HSE through the National Service Plan process.

In addition to the €7.3m, the proportion of new home support hours ringfenced for people with dementia will more than double from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2022.

Taken together, this will represent 15 million euro of investment dedicated to dementia in 2022, on top of the €12.9m of additional funding in 2021.

As the Deputy is aware I have long been an advocate for the development of services for people with dementia and their families and I am delighted to be able to continue the focused investment in these services and supports.

 

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (143)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the measures he has taken to allow partners to attend maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50798/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (144)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 in each local health office area in CHO8; the corresponding figures for each area at the end of June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50607/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (145)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

145. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the budget allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital, the 13th highest in the State, does not reflect on the fact that the hospital is the sixth largest in the State based on inpatient numbers; and the action he plans to take to address this imbalance. [50617/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is a Model 3 Hospital, operating as part of the Saolta University Health Care Group.  The budget allocation for LUH in 2021 is €156m, a 7% increase from the €145.9m provided in 2020.  The HSE advises that, as of August 2021, 2,208 people were employed in LUH, an increase from 2,000 employees in 2020.

There has been significant investment in services in LUH in recent years . This includes the completion of the Radiology rebuild (including a second CT & Interventional Radiology Suite), a 20 bed short stay ward, construction of two new wards (Medical 6 & Medical 7), a new mammography machine commissioned in the Symptomatic Breast Disease Unit, and the appointment of Consultants in Paediatrics, Gastroenterology and Urology, as well as the appointment of Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

The Acute Stroke Unit opened in April this year as part of the a national programme. Other planned works include an orthopaedic refurbishment project due to commence in Q4 2021, the expansion of the renal dialysis unit and the expansion of the haematology/oncology day unit. Recruitment is also ongoing to address existing vacancies and to facilitate the commissioning of a further 23 in-patient beds as part of the Covid-19 emergency admission measures.  A replacement modular endoscopy unit will be commissioned on a phased basis in the coming months.   

Patients in the region can also access radiotherapy and emergency cardiac treatment in Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry.

Barr
Roinn