Written Answers Nos. 832-851
832. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in BreastCheck on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; and the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9863/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
833. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in BowelScreen on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
834. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in CervicalCheck on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9865/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
835. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a report (details supplied); when this office will reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9866/22]
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.
836. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total annual spend on BreastCheck in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9876/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
837. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total annual spend on CervicalCheck in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
838. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the BreastCheck screening age to 40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
I am pleased to inform that, 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. BreastCheck invite this age category because international evidence shows the incidence and mortality from breast cancer in this age group means it is effective to screen women in this age range.
The National Screening Service (NSS) also advises that BreastCheck delivers its services in line with international criteria for screening programmes, based on the best international evidence, which they kept under constant review.
Regarding any further changing or lowering the age eligibility for BreastCheck, it is important to note that any future decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, including reducing the age range in breast screening, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
A dedicated evidence assessment team in HIQA support the work of the NSAC and conduct evidence reviews and evaluations to inform the decisions of the NSAC. The financial cost is but one factor that is considered in the decision-making process. Due to the complex nature of the evaluation process and the criteria against which a decision is made, it would not be possible to accurately quantify the cost of expanding a screening service until a full evidential assessment was completed.
It may be of interest that the NSAC recently held its first 'Annual Call’ which gave the public an opportunity to suggest new screening programmes or modifications to existing ones. I am looking forward to receiving recommendations from the NSAC once they have considered the submissions received, and I will be guided by their advice to ensure Ireland’s population-based screening programmes continues to evolve in line with new evidence and developments.
It is an important message to remind that screening is for healthy people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP who will arrange appropriate follow-up care. It is important that every woman is breast aware. This means knowing what is normal for them so that if any unusual change occurs, they will recognise it. The National Screening Service and BreastCheck have useful information in relation to breast health on their website.
839. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds in Belmullet Community Hospital in each year since 2008, in tabular form; the array of treatments and care provided at the Belmullet campus in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra840. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the anticipated return from 12 to 20 beds, as was in place prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Belmullet Community Hospital, will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 839 and 840 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
841. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total capital investment in Belmullet Community Hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
842. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent medical and non-medical staff in Belmullet Community Hospital since 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9882/22]
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.
843. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [9883/22]
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.
844. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [9886/22]
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.
845. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the work to be carried out at the National Ambulance Service base, Carlow arising from a recent inspection which focused on fire prevention and safety; if the works have been costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
846. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists with dental treatment services scheme contracts at the end of each quarter of 2019, 2020, 2021 and for the first of each month to date in 2022, by CHO in tabular form; and the number of dentists with active contracts, that is, the number of dentists who submitted claims for each of these months. [9900/22]
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.
847. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology nurse specialists currently working in Sligo University Hospital; if he has plans to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9906/22]
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.
848. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of podiatrists employed by the HSE by CHO area in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the shortfall in podiatrists employed by the HSE by CHO area in tabular form; the number of podiatrist posts planned in Budget 2021; the number of these posts that were not filled; the reason that posts were not filled; the status of his plans to improve podiatry services in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/22]
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.
849. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer at stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV in each year since 2014, in tabular form. [9925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra850. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with breast cancer at stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV in each year since 2014 in tabular form. [9926/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra851. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with cervical cancer at stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV in each year since 2014, in tabular form. [9927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra852. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV in each year since 2014, in tabular form. [9928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra854. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cancers diagnosed by stage in each year since 2013, in tabular form. [9930/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 849, 850, 851, 852 and 854 together.
The National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) is charged with collecting and classifying information on all cancer cases that occur in Ireland. NCRI data is used widely in the development of cancer services, service planning and in monitoring progress being made under the National Cancer Strategy.
Based on the most recent staging data provided by the NCRI, the stage at diagnosis for breast, lung, colorectal, cervical and ovarian cancer (2014-2018) is as follows:
These figures relate to the stage at the time of the patient’s initial diagnosis, or within a window of up to 4 months after diagnosis date.
Proportions of cases with unknown (as-yet-unassigned) stage is higher in the most recent years reflecting incompleteness of clinical stage information for 2018 at the time of analysis.
It is possible that a small number of late registrations of Stage IV cases may be added as data is further validated.
