Written Answers Nos. 877-894
877. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an up to date report on underlying conditions in confirmed cases of Covid-19 (details supplied) taking into account the most recent data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52296/21]
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.
878. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding staffing levels on hospital wards the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; if there are sufficient staffing numbers in place to ensure that the required number of nurses are available to cover each ward for each shift; if not, the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52297/21]
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.
879. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the studies which have been undertaken and-or completed on the prevalence of long Covid; the steps that can be taken to ensure that the risks of suffering long Covid are mitigated or eliminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52299/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra880. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been diagnosed as suffering from the condition being termed as long Covid; if a study has been conducted as to whether one, two or three vaccine doses lessens the possibility of suffering from it or if non-vaccinated Covid-19 sufferers have a higher chance of developing these more long-term effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52300/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1026. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the supports available for children and young adults currently experiencing long-term effects following a Covid-19 infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52951/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 879, 880 and 1026 together.
COVID-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features, incidence and its course are still emerging. The natural history, clinical course and consequences of COVID19 are still not completely understood. It is recognised that most patients with COVID-19 return to baseline after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, but a proportion report ongoing health issues.
The number of people that are affected with longer term sequelae after acute COVID-19 remains unknown, but published reports indicate that approximately 10– 20% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms for weeks to months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Several organisations and societies have proposed different definitions based upon the constellation of symptoms that affect people after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. To aid recognition and management of those affected, the WHO has recently through a global consensus process proposed a working clinical case definition of Post COVID-19 syndrome occurring 3 months from the onset of COVID-19, with symptoms that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction and others which generally have an impact on everyday functioning. Symptoms may be new onset, following initial recovery from an acute COVID19 episode, or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms may also fluctuate or relapse over time. However, the WHO notes that this definition may change as new evidence emerges and our understanding of the consequences of COVID-19 continues to evolve.
COVID-19 in children is usually asymptomatic or manifests as a mild illness of short duration. However, concerns have been raised regarding prolonged illness in some children, with no clear resolution of symptoms several weeks after onset, as is observed in some adults and this is an area of ongoing research. Studies to date have identified that long illness duration after SARS-CoV-2 infection in school-aged children does occur but is uncommon and less common than is reported in adults. In most studies of children affected, symptoms are reported to have resolved or significantly decreased over time, providing reassurance about long-term outcomes. Additionally, studies suggest that the symptom burden in children with what has been termed long COVID-19 was not greater than that in children with long illnesses due to causes other than SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. People in the community who are concerned about persistent symptoms following Covid-19 should contact their GP in the first instance. 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 currently assessing need and the best way to care for those impacted by Long COVID to ensure the appropriate supports are in place. As part of this work on post-COVID care, the HSE is examining 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 also been in touch with a group of people who are suffering post-COVID symptoms to inform understanding. You may wish to note, that a Programme Manager/Implementation Lead and Clinical Leads have been identified within the HSE who will be key stakeholders in driving this programme of work.
My Department, through the Health Research Board, continues to fund research into the clinical impacts of COVID-19. My Department will also continue to develop an understanding of the implications of Long COVID to inform policy as appropriate.
881. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no facilities for admitting adults who have an intellectual disability and require residential psychiatric treatment, further to advice to this Deputy that the HSE does not have the resources to deal with them; if this is correct; and if so, the reason. [52301/21]
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.
882. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans for capacity planning and reform within the National Ambulance Service. [52305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra883. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in east County Cork; the number of ambulances ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra884. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics assigned to ambulance services in east County Cork; and the optimum number of paramedics that should serve that area. [52307/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 882 to 884, inclusive, together.
In 2021 Government secured an unprecedented €187.5m in funding for the National Ambulance Service (NAS), including €10m in new funding for targeted strategic initiatives. Building on this, in Budget 2022, Government has committed an additional €8.3m for NAS new developments.
This funding is demonstrative of Governments commitment to the strategic reform of our ambulance service. In 2022 it will further increase paramedic staff numbers to target capacity deficits, as well as increasing the use of enhanced community initiatives that have the aim of reducing hospital attendances and improving patient outcomes and experiences over the longer term.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to support these developments within the NAS and to prioritise strategic measures that contribute to better patient outcomes nationally.
In relation to the specific NAS data requested by the Deputy in respect of East Cork, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
885. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of oncological dieticians operating in the Saolta area and their area of operation; if there are plans to appoint more such dieticians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52310/21]
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.
886. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the statistics in relation to HIV in Ireland in the past two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52315/21]
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.
888. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the additional €30 million for new medicines announced as part of Budget 2022; the amount that will be made available for the approval of non-oncological rare disease and gene therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 gives full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on the reimbursement of all medicines taking account of a range of objective factors, clinical benefits, cost effectiveness and expert opinion as appropriate. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The HSE Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The role of the Drugs Group is to make a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT) in relation to each individual application having considered the criteria under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The Drugs Group considers the NCPE assessment, the outputs from commercial engagements, patient interest group submissions, and any other pertinent information in advance of providing its recommendation to the HSE EMT.
As the decision-making authority within the HSE, the HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
While the 2013 Health Act does not include provision for a different ruleset when assessing non-oncological rare disease and gene therapies, the criteria that apply to the evaluation process allow the HSE to take account of evidence of the benefits associated with each given medicine. The budget allocation of €30m funding for new medicines in Budget 2022 will provide for the reimbursement of both orphan and non-orphan medicines.
889. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 575 and 578 of 12 October 2021, the number of the 15 rare disease new medicines approvals resulting from the €50 million for new medicines announced as part of budget 2021 that were for the treatment of non-oncological rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52331/21]
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.
890. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 586, 587 and 588 of 12 October 2021, the specific themes that have been agreed for inclusion as part of the update of the National Rare Diseases Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52332/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMany of the major recommendations of the National Rare Disease Plan have already been implemented. In late 2020, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was operationalised and incorporated into the National Rare Disease Office, who has become the main contact point and driver for national HSE rare disease projects and initiatives. The work of the NRDO is overseen and governed by HSE Acute Operations under the governance of the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, where the National Rare Disease Plan is firmly embedded.
Building on the significant progress to date, a number of themes for inclusion in a roadmap for the coming period have been agreed with the Rare Disease Task Force, which comprises the main rare disease advocacy groups; Rare Disease Ireland, the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCP), and the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPPOSI). Those themes identified for future progress, include: Patient Awareness; European Reference Networks; Research & Registries; Access to Services; Access to Medicines; Diagnosis; Education & Training and Legislation & Policy.
891. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the children’s disability network team will be established in the CHO2 area; when children referred to the service can expect to start receiving appointments; the interim plans in place to support such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52333/21]
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.
892. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an updated comprehensive plan for the easing of maternity restrictions, particularly in cases in which both parents are fully vaccinated. [52340/21]
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.
893. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the dietitian and nutritionist appointments made within the Waterford and Wexford mental health services; the number of these positions that are currently filled in the Waterford and Wexford mental health services; the number of patients that are currently cared for under the services; his views on whether the service provided in the south east is sufficient to meet the needs of mental health patients with diagnosed eating disorders who require the services of a dietitian or nutritionist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52341/21]
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.
894. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if immediate action will be taken for the recruitment of an additional 100 neurology nurse specialists in order that Ireland can comply with international guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52343/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
