Written Answers Nos. 820-842
820. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when training and accreditation for medical practitioners to fit and remove long-acting reversible contraception will recommence in view of the stated intention to commence the roll-out of free contraception for 17 to 25 year olds in August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13953/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra821. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the legislation to enable the roll-out of free contraception to 17 to 25 year olds in August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra822. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the considerations his Department has given to providing free contraception for persons with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 820 to 822, inclusive, together.
The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception, which include accessibility, information, workforce capacity and, for a significant number of women who may be just above the eligibility threshold for a full GMS (medical) card, cost.
In consideration of the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution (JOC8) and the findings of the Working Group on Contraception, the Programme for Government, 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort.
Work on this was temporarily delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the cross-disciplinary Contraception Implementation Group was set up in July 2021 to progress the introduction of this scheme, which is scheduled to commence in August 2022.
The scheme will provide for:
1. The cost of prescription contraception;
2. The cost of a minimum of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;
3. The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;
4. The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
5. Provision of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders through this scheme, to include contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
Increasing the supports for gynaecological conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, is a key element of the Women’s Health Action Plan, which was launched on International Women’s Day (March 8th, 2022). €5.3 million has been allocated in 2022 to grow access to “see and treat” gynaecology clinics, specialist menopause clinics, and specialist endometriosis services for complex care.
As the roll out of free contraception is being introduced in phases by age cohort, patients with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome; will be accommodated as their age group becomes eligible; those holding GMS (medical) cards are already eligible for free contraception, subject only to the prescription charge. Those holding GP Visit cards are currently eligible for free consultation costs, and those ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible for the Drugs Payment Scheme, which limits the cost of prescription medication to no more than €80 in a calendar month.
Work on the legislative framework for the scheme is ongoing. Formal negotiations with medical and other relevant representative bodies with regard to service provision are due to commence in March/April 2022.
The capacity within the health system to fit and remove LARCs was examined by the Working Group on Contraception; the Report is available on the Department's website. At time of publication in 2019, there were over 1,000 GPs holding LARC certification and that there was scope for enabling practitioners to develop their skills further by promoting further integration between the hospital and community sector and developing local centres of expertise in sexual and reproductive health services.
As part of the Budget 2022 allocation, funds are being made available for additional training capacity with respect to certification of medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs. The HSE is currently working on preparing to roll out these additional training supports.
823. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing issues in relation to the availability of HRT patches; the plans he has to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra964. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to current shortages in supply of hormone replacement therapy patches and gel for the treatment of severe menopause symptoms; if he is undertaking measures to improve access to these menopause supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 823 and 964 together.
The HPRA is aware of the current challenges regarding the intermittent supply of some hormone replacement therapies (HRT). The HPRA has had regular and ongoing engagement with suppliers in this regard. The companies that place the products on the market have indicated that the current supply difficulties are due to a significantly increased demand for these medicines in Ireland in recent years. To illustrate, the supply of one range of HRT patches has increased by between 77% and 117%, for the three most-used strengths, compared to 2020. In addition, based on demand in recent months, the company expects a similar increase in the demand for all strengths during 2022. This would mean that the usage of this patch in Ireland would be approximately 4.5-7.5 times higher in 2022 (depending on the strength) compared to 2019.
Regarding the HRT patches, the suppliers have confirmed that they have increased the planned supply of HRT patches to Ireland during 2022 in response to this increased demand. In the case of one brand (Evorel/Evorel Conti), the supply of HRT patches has resumed. For another brand (Estradot), some strengths are available currently and, based on manufacturing availability, the re-supply of the full range is expected to be in July. With respect to the gels, the supplier of Divigel has indicated that it expects supply to resume next week (week beginning 21st March). Supply of an alternative gel product (Oestrogel) has recently run out and is expected to resume in April. In the interim, the companies have indicated that they are working to find solutions to the immediate supply issues.
The current supply situation has arisen due to significant increases in demand for HRT medicines and is not linked to regulatory matters. However, the HPRA continues to review available options within their regulatory remit to facilitate increased supply where at all possible. In particular, the HPRA has advised companies that they are open to providing accelerated regulatory approval to supply a product originally intended for other markets if available. HPRA are awaiting further information from the companies in this regard.
The HPRA publishes a medicinal product shortages list on its website, with the reason for the shortage, the expected dates for the return of supply and in some cases, such as HRT shortages, the HSE’s clinical guidance on the management of patient treatment in response to medicine shortages. The information is made available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they do arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved.
The HPRA will continue to liaise with suppliers of HRT medicines over the coming weeks with a view to securing updates and commitments regarding the restoration of normal supplies for patients as soon as possible.
824. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner practices with capacity to accept new patients in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [13972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Under the terms of the GMS and GP Visit Card contracts, the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients on a GP's patient panel may not exceed 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 6 contract, except in exceptional circumstances. There is no minimum number of patients specified for a panel. The State does not prescribe the number of private patients that may be registered with a GP; this is a matter for individual GP practices.
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Information on the capacity of GP practices to accept private patients is not collected by the HSE.
In relation to GP practices that have capacity to accept new GMS patients, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
825. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the pro-rata payment in relation to the €1,000 Covid bonus to healthcare workers will mean less favourable treatment for those relief staff who worked more hours than their full-time co-workers during lockdown; if section 39 organisations will be instructed to treat their relief staff, who have worked the same hours as full-time staff, equally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. The announcement provided that a pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff.
This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings (eg – and noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings). The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices (eg: nursing homes and hospices that are private, public, section 39, voluntary etc.) that were affected by Covid-19.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly.
Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars including how the pro-rata shall apply shall be published by the HSE. Noting that the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
826. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the services that are provided by the HSE to adults diagnosed with autism. [13988/22]
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.
827. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to create a follow-on clinic for those ageing out of a service (details supplied); and if so, when the service will commence. [13989/22]
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.
828. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the guidelines that are given to maternity hospitals by the HSE in relation to access of fathers and birthing partners are guidelines only; and if it is the hospital board of management that makes decisions on these matters. [13996/22]
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.
829. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the actions that his Department has taken to implement the relevant recommendations from the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community report issued in November 2021. [14007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health has considered the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community and its 21 recommendations relating to the health of Travellers.
A key action in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is to develop and implement a detailed action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach. The lead role in developing the action plan rests with the HSE, in conjunction with Traveller organisations.
The Department of Health has received the draft Traveller health action plan from the HSE and officials recently met with the HSE to consider the plan and to identify the resources required to implement it. It is expected that action plan will address the recommendations in the Joint Committee Report.
As an initial step towards implementing the plan, the Dept provided €270,000 to expand Traveller health units in 2021. Further measures will be considered in the context of Budget 2023.
I am fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to ensure the implementation of the plan by the HSE, once agreed.
830. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 731 and 732 of 22 February 2022, the CHO areas for which national independent review panels have been completed or are underway; and the type of service each review pertains to (details supplied). [14017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
831. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 731 and 732 of 22 February 2022, if any of the national independent review panel reviews involved or involve situations which are potentially of a similar nature or gravity to the Grace case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the National Independent Review Panel is commissioned by the HSE, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
832. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of the review of the standard operating procedure for assessment of need; if he will provide copies of the interim reports that were due to be issued three and six months from the start of the review in March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Standard Operating Procedure for Assessment of Need for Children was launched in March 2021. The review group was chaired by Mr Robbie Ryan and comprises five nominees from Fórsa and five from the HSE.
It was the intention of the Chairperson to issue interim reports after 3 months, 6 months and a final report after 12 months. Unfortunately, these reports have been delayed and have not yet been furnished.
I am advised by the HSE that the relevant officials have scheduled a meeting with Mr Robbie Ryan to discuss the provision of his first interim report for later this month. The judgement of Ms Justice Phelan in the case of CTM and JA v HSE has wide ranging implications and as such the HSE are meeting with representatives of Fórsa in the coming days to agree the most appropriate next steps.
833. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the way that the ongoing engagement between his Department and the HSE on telemedicine abortion is progressing; and the way the continuation of telemedicine home abortions is being considered given that the HSE has acknowledged that it has conducted no analysis into the operation or potential risks of the practice in Ireland and is reliant upon secondary information from England on the matter. [14031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of Covid-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely. For the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, with restrictions eased, the Department is currently reviewing whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the COVID-19 public health emergency period. A decision is expected in the coming weeks. It is important to reflect that COVID-19 is still with us and Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance on Managing Risk of Transmission of Respiratory Viruses including COVID-19, continues to advise, amongst other things, to limit footfall in General Practice settings and support telephone consultations where care that meets the needs of the patient can be delivered - this helps to eliminate the risk of transmission of viral infection. As such the arrangements for remote access to this service in the context of COVID-19 remain in place.
834. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the chair of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 has consulted with any stakeholders since the date of their appointment; and if so, the name of the stakeholders with whom they have consulted. [14032/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
The role of the Chair in Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is to carry out their work independently, as such I do not presently have oversight of the specific engagements she has had to date. The review process is an ongoing and active process.
As I stated previously, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review. My Department is managing the public consultation which is currently open.
835. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when an audiology service will be provided at the primary care centre, Tuam, County Galway; the staffing complement for the centre; the recruitment arrangements in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14034/22]
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 Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that medically vulnerable persons are still at risk of serious Covid-19 disease especially now that all restrictions have been lifted; if he will allocate the highest priority to high risk and very high risk individuals in the guidance regarding the allocation of new antiviral and antibody treatments against Covid-19; if he will systematically involve persons with lived experience of managing a chronic and or rare conditions in key decision-making processes; if he will provide a tailored plan and engage in direct communication with medically vulnerable individuals especially those with a chronic and or rare conditions to address existing service and treatment challenges during Covid-19 and in the aftermath of the lifting of public health restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14041/22]
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.
837. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times in each of the past ten years in which a surgery has resulted in the removal of a limb or organ which was not intended for amputation or removal by surgery type in tabular form. [14042/22]
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.
838. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of patients to be seen by each hospital group in each of the past ten years. [14043/22]
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.
839. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 3 March 2022, the number of incidents reported to the National Incident Management System in each of the past five years which resulted in death, suffering, long-term incapacity or injury in tabular form. [14044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. I have been informed by the SCA that the information below has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) according to the below criteria:
Criteria used
- Incidents relate to Acute Statutory and Voluntary Hospitals only as per PQ 12203/22 referenced.
- Incidents reported in the period 2017-2021.
- Incidents involving patients, service users, staff, visitors, members of the public, contractors
- The incident reported with ‘Outcome at the time of the incident’ or ‘Additional outcome since Incident’ = ‘Injury not requiring first aid’, ‘Injury or illness, requiring first aid’, ‘Injury requiring medical treatment’, ‘Long Term disability/incapacity (incl. Psychosocial)’, ‘Permanent/Incapacity (incl. Psychosocial)’, ‘Death’.
- This report is correct as of 01/03/2022
Question 1:
Acute Hospitals - Incident Reported in the past 5 years
- The incidents in table below reflect incidents reported in the Acute Hospital Group with an outcome / additional outcome to be:
- ‘Injury not requiring first aid’ o ‘Injury or illness, requiring first aid’,
- ‘Injury requiring medical treatment’,
- ‘Long Term disability/incapacity (incl. Psychosocial)’, ‘Permanent/Incapacity (incl. Psychosocial)’,
- ‘Death’.
My Department has sought further information from the SCA on the breakdown for minor and serious incidents.
Year Incident Reported
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Number of Incidents Reported |
22,996 |
25,976 |
28,201 |
33,564 |
37,480 |
Table 1 – Acute Hospitals Incident Reported in the past 5 years
840. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons sacked or dismissed by the HSE in each of the past five years by job title or category; and the reason for their dismissal or sacking in each case. [14045/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
841. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out in compensation claims by each hospital in the State in each of the past ten years in tabular form. [14046/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. I have been informed by the SCA that the information contained in the attached report has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) according to the below criteria:
The SCA does not release transaction data into the public domain at individual hospital level because to do so would effectively provide a league table of hospitals and could cause the public to draw false and unwarranted assumptions in relation to the clinical performance of an individual hospital in the absence of further relevant contextual information.
The SCA have therefore provided damages paid by hospital groups in the past 10 years.
Criteria used
- Payments relate to Acute Statutory and Voluntary Hospitals only.
- Relates to payments made under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme and the General Indemnity Scheme
- Amount paid in damages for the period 2012-2021.
- This report is correct as of 28/02/2022
842. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients recently admitted to the Mater Misercordiae University Hospital were transferred to the Mater Private Hospital without being informed that they would be charged for care in the private hospital; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these patients were led to believe that transfer between the public and private hospital was a routine part of their public care in order to circumvent overcrowding in the Mater public hospital; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these patients have been issued with bills for that care and are being threatened with legal action if they do not pay; the steps that his Department will take to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14057/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that following contact from officials in my Department that the Deputy's office has confirmed that the matter raised concerns a specific individual. Accordingly I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter and reply to the Deputy directly.
