Written Answers Nos. 335-344
335. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he along with the HSE will put the necessary measures in place to allow physiotherapists to request imaging for their patients without having to go to a doctor to do same (details supplied). [51873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncil Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations. Not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments for the National HSCP Office in relation to progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs).
Officials in my Department will be collaborating with the HSE National Office for Health and Social Care Professionals in relation to HSCP Deliver and developing advance practice for HSCPs to ensure the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to meet future healthcare need.
The requirement for physiotherapists to order x-rays needs to be determined in the context of the new models of healthcare envisaged under Sláintecare. If a requirement is established in the future then legislation changes supported by a clinical professional position, development of relevant education and competency standards of practice will also be required.
336. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to provide additional respite beds or houses for persons with a disability in Enniscorthy and throughout County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51876/21]
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.
337. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider permitting a vaccine certificate to be issued to a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies but does not have a specific positive test result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51879/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the underpinning EU Digital COVID Certificate regulation concerns the issuing and verification of certificates for medical events including vaccination, recovery, and testing related to COVID-19. The EU Digital COVID Certificate regulation, and subsequent associated national regulations, do not allow for the issuing of a certificate for individuals who have not had a medical event as outlined.
Under the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation, a certificate of recovery is a certificate confirming that, following a positive result of a NAAT test, meaning a molecular nucleic acid amplification test, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) techniques, used to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA), carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
It is important to note that antibody tests check for antibodies to see if a person had an infection with the virus in the past. A positive antibody test should not be taken to mean that a person is protected from being infected again with COVID-19; a positive result does not mean that the person is immune to coronavirus.
338. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for the stroke strategy was not announced as part of the €50 million for clinical strategies in Budget 2022; when the plan and the implementation plan will be published; the level of funding that will be provided;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51880/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the Stroke Strategy; when it will be published; when an implementation plan for same will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51901/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the €50 million for clinical strategies announced in Budget 2022 is inclusive of the Stroke Strategy; if not, the way the Stroke Strategy will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51902/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for the stroke strategy was not announced as part of the €50 million for clinical strategies in Budget 2022; when the stroke strategy and implementation plan will be published; the level of funding which will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51962/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 342, 343 and 349 together.
On Thursday 14 October, I announced €21billion, the biggest ever investment in Ireland’s Health and Social Care Services. Budget 2022 will deliver Sláintecare - reduce waiting lists, increase capacity, protect our most vulnerable, address inequalities and deliver the right care, in the right place at the right time.
The funding allocated to Health in Budget 2022 demonstrates the Government’s commitment in the Programme for Government to deliver Universal Healthcare in a number of important areas.
The HSE’s proposed National Stroke Strategy 2021-2026 has been clinically approved by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer Clinical Forum at its meeting in July 2021 and the HSE inform me that it will be reviewed by the HSE Executive Management Team at the next meeting in November 2021. This will inform the date for publication with regard to organisational strategy, planning and implementation. Funding will be considered in this context.
339. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a service will be restored to an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51882/21]
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.
340. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the chronic overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51893/21]
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.
341. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the role local authorities will play in drawing down funding in terms of building and securing suitable accommodation in view of commitment of additional resources in Budget 2022 to address the inappropriate placement of persons with disabilities in nursing homes; when this funding will be made available; if funding allocations will be made to each CHO; if not, if this fund will be administered on a national basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51896/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
344. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with gestational diabetes in County Mayo in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51903/21]
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.
