Written Answers Nos. 656-679
656. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage in home care providers and the impact this is having on ability for families to care for their loved ones in the home. [58848/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has prioritised improved access to home support services. Last year additional funding of €150 million was secured for home support to progress the development of a reformed model of service delivery to underpin the statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services and to provide 5 million additional hours of home support. The HSE National Service Plan sets a target to provide 24 million hours of home support this year and it is estimated that at the end of September some 15 million hours had been provided to over 53,000 people. This is about 2.2 million more hours compared to the same period last year.
The funding secured in Budget 2021 to provide these additional 5 million hours has been maintained for 2022.
Significant inroads have been achieved in reducing waiting lists for funding approval for new or additional service from over 7,800 in January 2020 to just under 400 last September. This has been achieved through a combination of validation of the waiting list and availability of funding to address those waiting.
However, there is a delay between the approval of funding and the delivery of home support hours and the numbers of people in both categories have increased steadily this year. At the end of September 2021, there were 4,933 people assessed and waiting for a carer to become available, in January 2020 there was about 1,300 people in this category. Certain areas that are experiencing increased pressures due to staff availability are particularly affected. Despite the increase, it is important to note that the total number of people waiting for home support across both categories has reduced from over 9,000 at the start of 2020 to approximately 5,300 at the end of September.
The HSE is aware that there are increasing capacity issues across both direct and indirect provision and it continues to advertise on an ongoing basis for Health Care Assistants and recruits as many suitable candidates, where possible. The HSE conducts its recruitment through a variety of channels both locally and nationally.
Due to the nature of Healthcare Support Assistant posts, this recruitment is normally conducted at a very local level and is on-going continually across the HSE. Approved Home Support Providers also continue to recruit home support workers.
Work is ongoing within the Department to progress the development of the new statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms.
Recruitment of the 130 posts funded for the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care needs is scheduled to commence in this quarter. In addition, A National Home Support Office is in the process of being established. The testing of the reformed model of service delivery for home support commenced ?in November 2021 in one pilot site, with other pilot sites to be fully operational by January 2022.
I am committed to establishing a Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The role of the group will be to facilitate the views of stakeholders and examine workforce challenges in home support and nursing homes. Potential areas to be considered include recruitment, retention, training, career development, and the sustainable employment of home support workers and nursing home workers into the future.
657. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if the post for the school age team psychologist in County Longford has been filled. [58853/21]
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.
658. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be referred for surgery having engaged with their consultant on several occasions. [58854/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
660. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the allocation of home care hours following the assessment and award of packages (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58889/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has prioritised improved access to home support services through an additional investment of €150 million in 2021 for these services which has been maintained under Budget 2022.
The HSE National Service Plan sets a target to provide 24 million hours of home support this year and it is estimated that at the end of September some 15 million hours had been provided to over 53,000 people. This is about 2.2 million more hours compared to the same period last year.
Significant inroads have been achieved in reducing waiting lists for funding approval for new or additional service from over 7,800 in January 2020 to just under 400 last September. This has been achieved through a combination of validation of the waiting list and availability of funding to address those waiting.
However, there is a delay between the approval of funding and the delivery of home support hours and the numbers of people in both categories have increased steadily this year. At the end of September 2021, there were 4,933 people assessed and waiting for a carer to become available, in January 2020 there was about 1,300 people in this category. Certain areas that are experiencing increased pressures due to staff availability are particularly affected. Despite the increase, it is important to note that the total number of people waiting for home support across both categories has reduced from over 9,000 at the start of 2020 to approximately 5,300 at the end of September.
The HSE is aware that there are increasing capacity issues across both direct and indirect provision and it continues to advertise on an ongoing basis for Health Care Assistants and recruits as many suitable candidates, where possible. The HSE conducts its recruitment through a variety of channels both locally and nationally.
Due to the nature of Healthcare Support Assistant posts, this recruitment is normally conducted at a very local level and is on-going continually across the HSE. Approved Home Support Providers also continue to recruit home support workers.
Work is ongoing within the Department to progress the development of the new statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms.
Recruitment of the 130 posts funded for the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care needs is scheduled to commence in this quarter. In addition, A National Home Support Office is in the process of being established. The testing of the reformed model of service delivery for home support commenced ?in November 2021 in one pilot site, with other pilot sites to be fully operational by January 2022.
I am committed to establishing a Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The role of the group will be to facilitate the views of stakeholders and examine workforce challenges in home support and nursing homes. Potential areas to be considered include recruitment, retention, training, career development, and the sustainable employment of home care workers and nursing home workers into the future.
661. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will establish Covid-19 test sites as a matter of urgency in north and east County Cork to ensure accessible testing. [58897/21]
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.
662. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if monoclonal antibody medicine, onapreve is available in Ireland for Covid-19 patients (details supplied). [58898/21]
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.
663. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of all Covid-19 cases admitted to ICU from 1 April 2021 to date on a weekly basis; the comparative breakdown of same of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients; the cumulative weekly vaccine take-up by age in each corresponding week; the number that were admitted to ICU specifically to be treated for Covid-19; the number that were immunocompromised and cannot be vaccinated for a medical reason; the number that were pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58915/21]
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.
664. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason the vaccination status of Covid-19 cases admitted to ICU in Ireland is so disproportionately different to cases in the United Kingdom over the period week 41 and week 44 and other weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has agreed to withdraw this question and will resubmit it with further information.
665. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of emergency department admissions which are treated within 4, 8 and 12 hours, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58919/21]
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.
666. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his views on the frequency and manner of surveillance testing conducted on in-patients in which there is no clinical suspicion of Covid-19 upon admission to hospital; the testing process for a vaccinated vis-à-vis unvaccinated patient whilst an inpatient in hospital; the details of the precise PCR assay threshold that is used by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58920/21]
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.
667. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances in which family members of Covid-19-positive hospital in-patients were incorrectly recorded as consenting do not resuscitate orders being placed on their loved ones; when his attention was drawn to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58924/21]
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.
668. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the HSE refers children to private service providers for treatment following an assessment of needs in which a service is identified such as occupational therapy, psychology and speech and language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58940/21]
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.
669. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase bed capacity and address the overcrowding crisis in the Saolta Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58941/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase bed capacity and address the overcrowding crisis in the Saolta Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 700 together.
Hospitals in the Saolta Group are dealing with increasing levels of attendances to their Emergency Departments. This increase is resulting in a higher number of admissions to the hospitals. The care needs of many of these patients require a greater length of stay in hospital. Covid-19 is also continuing to have a significant impact on bed capacity, either in caring for patients with the virus, or as a result of bed closures caused by Covid restrictions.
Bed capacity has also been impacted by staffing resources. A significant overseas Nursing recruitment campaign is being progressed by the Saolta Group with the intention of having additional resources coming into the service within the next 3 months. Interviews are on-going at present, with an expected arrival date of January 2022 for the first tranche of nurses.
Plans for additional capacity across Saolta sites are outlined below:
University Hospital Galway:
Ahead of the proposed new Emergency Department development at University Hospital Galway, Saolta Hospital Group advises that the handover of the Temporary Emergency Department (Phase 1) in UHG is scheduled for end of April 2022, with the handover of the internal replanned area (Phase 2) scheduled for end of July 2022. The temporary ED facility, and in particular, the development of a new Emergency Department and Women & Children’s Block at the hospital, are key to addressing accommodation issues and meeting service demands.
Construction of a replacement cardiothoracic ward commenced in Q2 2021. This will provide 12 additional beds. The works are expected to be completed in Q2 2022.
Mayo University Hospital:
Funding is being provided for 40 beds off site. At this point 18 are operational and a further 12 will be available early in 2022.
Portiuncula University Hospital:
The design of a 12 bedded isolation ward in a vacated area of the hospital is progressing and it is expected that this work will be completed in 2022.
In addition, a new ward block development will provide a 50-bed replacement ward. Tenders are due in for this work in December, with the intention of awarding a contract early in 2022.
Sligo University Hospital:
It is intended that enabling works for a medical block, consisting of 42 bedded single room accommodation with ancillary space, will begin in early 2022.
Letterkenny University Hospital:
An additional 39 beds were approved for LUH in 2020/2021, 16 beds of which are currently operational. The remaining 23 beds will become operational in February/March 2022.
670. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of capital funding requests submitted to his Department from each hospital in the Saolta Hospital Group specifically to address the issue of bed capacity over the past three years; the amount requested; the amount provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58942/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for capital funding requests, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
671. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of new acute beds that have been provided to each hospital in the Saolta Hospital Group in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58943/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSaolta Hospital Group advise that the number of new acute beds provided to each of their hospitals in the past two years is as follows:
University Hospital Galway - One additional ICU bed funded under winter initiatives 2020-2021 is currently operational. It is hoped to have a second bed in operation by year-end, depending on recruitment outcomes. Also, one bed was converted from HDU level to ICU in April 2021
Mayo University Hospital - Funding is being provided for 40 beds off-site. At this point, 18 are operational and a further 12 will be available early in 2022.
Portiuncula University Hospital - The design of a 12 bedded isolation ward in a vacated area of the hospital is progressing and it is expected that this work will be completed in 2022. In addition, a new ward block development will provide a 50-bed replacement ward. Tenders are due in for this work in December, with the intention of awarding a contract early in 2022.
Sligo University Hospital - one ICU bed has been provided. It is intended that, as part of a capital development, an additional 4 ICU beds will be provided in 2022.
Letterkenny University Hospital - An additional 39 beds were approved in 2020/2021. Of these, 16 beds are currently operational. The remaining 23 beds will become operational in February/March 2022.
672. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical staff vacancies by staff grade currently for each hospital in the Saolta Hospital Group; the length of time of each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58944/21]
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.
673. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of additional beds that will be made operational in hospitals under the Saolta Hospital Group under the winter plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58945/21]
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.
674. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent data provided by the Irish College of General Practitioners that states that 60% of a survey of 900 general practitioners have stated that they are at capacity and not taking on new patients and that up to 700 will retire over the next five years; the measures he proposes to take to ensure sufficient general practitioner capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58946/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra705. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent data provided by the Irish College of General Practitioners (details supplied); the measures he plans to take to ensure sufficient general practitioner capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59004/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 705 together.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas. We are working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP.
Several efforts to increase the number of practising GPs have been undertaken in recent years. 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. Changes have been made to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to facilitate more flexible/shared GMS contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme. An enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was also introduced.
Recent developments in relation to general practice, in particular the 2019 Agreement on Contractual Reform and Service Development, have helped to re-establish general practice in Ireland as an attractive career choice. The additional investment, which will amount to €210 million annually once the Agreement is fully implemented, provides for an increase in capitation fees, improved maternity and paternity arrangements as well as enhanced supports for rural practices. In addition, targeted on-going funding of €2 million will also be set aside to provide additional support to practices in deprived urban areas. The wider reforms in the health service will also help to provide an atmosphere in which the practice of medicine in Ireland will remain attractive. The additional investment in general practice provides a sound basis for ensuring that GPs have access to a credible and rewarding career path in Ireland.
675. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of planned surgeries that have been cancelled in each hospital of the Saolta Hospital Group over each of the past six months as a result of bed capacity issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58947/21]
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.
676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the annual budget allocated to each hospital in the State over each of the past five years; if additional current funding has been requested for any individual hospital or hospital group; the reason for the additional funding request; the response of his Department to each request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58948/21]
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.
677. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of home care hours applied for by CHO; the total number granted in tabular form over each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58949/21]
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.
678. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the primary care plans for each CHO; the progress to date on each project; the timeframe for delivery of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58950/21]
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.
679. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for approval of a home care application; the level of delayed discharges from each hospital in the Saolta Group while waiting on a home care package or community bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58951/21]
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.
