Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:866. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons in Ireland with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (866)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (867)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:867. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the research that is being conducted on long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14140/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Research is being conducted in relation to long-Covid. As well as national initiatives, Ireland (via the Health Research Board) is actively involved in the European Commission’s health research response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the EU Framework Programmes.
My Department plays a leading role in public health and medical research in Ireland. The Department supports research in these areas through the Health Research Board (HRB), a statutory body which operates under the aegis of the Department and a lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. The HRB supports the conduct of clinical research and clinical trials (in addition to health services research, population health research, and managing several national health information systems) on behalf of the Department.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, evidence emerged that some patients who survive the virus are experiencing prolonged symptoms and complications beyond the initial period of acute infection and illness. Termed Long COVID, it can present with clusters of symptoms that are often overlapping and fluctuating. Symptoms include breathlessness, headaches, cough, fatigue and cognitive impairment or ‘brain fog’, while there is also emerging evidence that some people experience organ damage. As yet, there are no clear indicators in research to suggest why one person may develop prolonged issues and another would not. Therefore, greater focus is now being placed on assessing this and the possible causes, in order that treatments and supports can be developed and in order to better understand any long-term consequences.
Recent long-Covid studies include the following:
Alimentary Pharmabotic Centre (APC) Microbiome Ireland in UCC conducted a study which has shown that the levels of multiple biomarkers are altered in serum from patients with long-Covid, even nine months after the initial infection with SARS-CoV-2. Over 1,000 molecules were measured in patient serum, and a subset of these molecules were shown to be at different levels in patients compared to healthy volunteers. These differences indicate an ongoing activation of the immune system, which were coupled with differences in molecules generated during metabolism, gives some hints at what might be underpinning long term symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog. Overall, the study findings identify novel mechanistic and potential diagnostic markers as well as potential therapeutic targets in long-Covid patients.
Another study, led by researchers from the Centre for Vascular Biology in the RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences published evidence showing that patients with long-Covid continue to have higher measures of blood clotting, which may help explain their persistent symptoms, such as reduced physical fitness and fatigue. Clotting markers were significantly elevated in the blood of patients with long-Covid syndrome compared with healthy controls and these clotting markers were higher in patients who required hospitalisation with their initial COVID-19 infection. Even those patients that were able to manage their illness at home still had persistently high clotting markers. The researchers observed that higher clotting was directly related to other symptoms of long-Covid syndrome, such as reduced physical fitness and fatigue. Even though markers of inflammation had all returned to normal levels, this increased clotting potential was still present in long-Covid patients. This work was funded through the Wellcome Trust-Health Research Board Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme as well through a HRB-funded Irish COVID-19 Vasculopathy Study.
Please also note the following information regarding other initiatives/trials:
The international peer review process is at an advanced stage for the HRB’s largest project scheme, the 2022 Investigator Led Projects Scheme and this includes a number of grant applications focusing on long-Covid. The outcomes of this call will be available in June 2022.
Ireland, with the support of the DoH and HRB, continues to participate in the WHO Solidarity PLUS trial. This is a platform trial that represents the largest global collaboration among WHO member states. It involves thousands of researchers in over 600 hospitals in 52 countries, including sites across Ireland. This allows the trial to assess multiple treatments at the same time using a single protocol, recruiting thousands of patients to generate robust estimates on the effect a drug may have on mortality-even moderate effects. It also allows new treatments to be added and ineffective treatments to be dropped throughout the course of the trial. Previously, four drugs were evaluated by the trial. The results showed that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and interferon had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Three further therapies were introduced in late 2021- artesunate, imatinib and infliximab – with the aim of reducing the risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Ireland is also participating in EU SolidAct, a randomized, multifactorial, adaptive platform trial for COVID-19 and emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a range of interventions to improve outcome of (i) hospitalized patients with moderate disease, and (ii) hospitalized patients with severe and critical disease.
Once the underlying mechanisms and causes of long-Covid become clearer, Ireland will be well placed, through the above platform trials, to engage in international trials assessing the effectiveness of treatments for long-Covid.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (868)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:868. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided with treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
World Economic Forum
Ceisteanna (869)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:869. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he or officials from his Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum including by phone call, webinar, email or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14162/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has consulted widely internally and can find no record of any such communication.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (870)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:870. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (871)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:871. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an assistive technology passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (872)
David Cullinane
Ceist:872. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when a new chairperson will be appointed to chair talks on a new consultant public only contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to introducing the Sláintecare Consultant Contract to hospital consultants in our health service as soon as possible. The Contract is currently the subject of engagement with the representative bodies. The Minister and the Government are currently giving consideration to appointing a replacement for the previous Chair, and these considerations are ongoing.
As this talks process has not concluded, it would not be appropriate to make public details about the talks at this time, save to say that I, my officials and the HSE are committed to introducing a new contract as soon as practicable.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (873)
David Cullinane
Ceist:873. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address two-tier pay and pay inequality issues for hospital consultants that had pay cut by up to 30% in austerity budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware that the differential in pay with consultants recruited prior to October 2012 is a significant issue for new-entrant consultants recruited since then.
The 30% differential introduced in 2012 was substantially reversed following engagement in 2015, particularly at the top of the relevant scales. However the differential increased in 2018 following the settlement of the High Court cases taken by pre-2012 consultants. At present, the difference at top of scale is approximately 11-15%, depending on contract type, though greater at entry points.
This matter is being considered as part of the ongoing Sláintecare consultant contract negotiations with the consultants' representative bodies. With that in mind, further public comment on this matter would not be appropriate at this time, save to say that specific consideration is being given to the issue within the current process.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (874)
David Cullinane
Ceist:874. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced nurse practitioners working in the public system broken down by those working in primary, community and acute settings in tabular form; the number of such vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14177/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (875, 876)
David Cullinane
Ceist:875. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the percentage of nurses that are advanced nurse practitioners working in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:876. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the number of nurses that are advanced nurse practitioners by 1%; the increased number of nurses becoming an advanced nurse practitioner this would involve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14179/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 875 and 876 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, in November 2021 I requested that the number of nurses and midwives practising at an advanced level (AN/MPs) across the health service be increased from 2% of the workforce to 3% over the two/ three years. A target of 2% had been recommended in A Policy on the Development of Graduate to Advanced Nursing and Midwifery Practice. I have allocated funding of €11.9m to the HSE in 2022 for 164 new AN/MP posts
At the end of January 2022, there were 41,792 WTE in the nursing and midwifery workforce. Increasing the workforce number of AN/MPs by 1% would result in an additional 418 WTE based on current WTE numbers. The cost is based on the salaries for AN/MPs €64,465 (midpoint of the candidate salary scale) with 11% employers PRSI added. There are also education costs of €6,000 per year ( 2 year requirement) for MSc Advanced Practice. A 1% increase therefore would be approximately €33,179,586 rising to approximately €33,966,262 (ongoing cost) for salary. In addition there is a once off education cost associated with the 1% uplift of approximately €5,016,000.
As of 1 March 2022, the number of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners (AN/MPs) is 733 WTE (1.76% of the workforce), comprising 533 WTE Registered AN/MP posts and 180 WTE candidate AN/MP posts.
Question No. 876 answered with Question No. 875.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (877)
Mark Ward
Ceist:877. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the Galway Community Café, the free out-of-hours adult mental health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (878)
Mark Ward
Ceist:878. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost of running the Galway Community Café, the free out-of-hours adult mental health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14181/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (879)
Mark Ward
Ceist:879. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plans to roll-out of hours crisis cafes across the State: the locations of each: when they will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (880)
Mark Ward
Ceist:880. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the CORU registration process for psychotherapists under the Health and Social Care Act 2005: the cost involved in the regulation of CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (the Act) provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training & competence through the statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act.
Regulations under SI No. 170 of 2018 were made by my predecessor in 2018. The effect of these regulations is to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the Act and to establish one registration board for both professions. Members were appointed to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board in February 2019 and they held their inaugural meeting in May 2019.
The work of a registration board includes consideration of the titles to be protected and the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and the qualifications that will be required for future graduates. The work of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions owing to the different and complex pathways into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers. This work is ongoing.
The annual financial statements of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) are laid before both houses of the Oireachtas and are publicly available from the Oireachtas Library.
I hope that this information is of assistance to you.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (881)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:881. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason that a child (details supplied) is waiting 10 months for a wheelchair; and if he will address matters raised in correspondence. [14184/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (882)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:882. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (883)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:883. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances to the minor injury unit in Monaghan Hospital from 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (884)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:884. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the daily opening hours of the minor injury unit in Monaghan Hospital; if he plans to open the unit at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (885)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:885. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if a patient is exempt from hospital bills if they have been admitted into hospital due to Covid-19-related issues. [14212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the State are eligible, subject to certain charges, for public in-patient hospital services including consultant services. All persons, accessing public in-patient (including day case) services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory in-patient daily charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 in any period of 12 consecutive months, subject to a number of exemptions which include;
- medical card holders;
- people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases, including Covid-19;
- people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
- children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
- people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
- women receiving maternity services;
- children up to 6 weeks of age;
- people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
- people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
The Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 were amended to include Covid-19 as an infectious disease, which in turn exempted individuals with Covid-19 from public in-patient charges under the Health Act 1970 (as amended).
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (886)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:886. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) was issued a hospital bill after been admitted into Letterkenny University Hospital due to Covid-19-related health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (887)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:887. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if an organisation will be considered for the recognition payment for frontline healthcare workers (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly 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 payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. 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.
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 (e.g. – 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 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. This will be published as soon as possible.
It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (888)
Robert Troy
Ceist:888. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [14225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.