Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1724. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20765/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1724)
Freagraí 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.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (1725)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1725. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of homes at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy; the number that are occupied; if there are plans to refurbish the homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the Deputy’s question, there is a Housing Scheme called McAuley Court which consists of ten one-bedroom Older Persons units located on the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, County Kildare. At present, four of these units are occupied.
The lands on which the Scheme was built are owned by Kildare County Council and the Health Service Executive. This year there are renewed attempts by the HSE, who are working with Kildare County Council, to regularise the Housing and transfer the management of these homes to an approved housing body. It should be noted that there are works to be completed on the empty homes on the hospital grounds, and Kildare County Council has corresponded to the HSE locally that the Department of Housing would look favourably on funding such works to bring these homes up to current code of standards.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (1726, 1729, 1730, 1731, 1732)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1726. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with Lyme’s disease in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatricia Ryan
Ceist:1729. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if a national action plan for tackling Lyme disease will be produced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatricia Ryan
Ceist:1730. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will develop Irish guidelines for adults and children for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and co-infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20771/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatricia Ryan
Ceist:1731. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will conduct research on Lyme disease and co-infections from an Irish perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatricia Ryan
Ceist:1732. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will conduct targeted research into the prevalence of Lyme disease and co-infections in Ireland to create a map of most at risk areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20773/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1726 and 1729 to 1732, inclusive, together.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that occurs when recreational or occupation activities result in tick bites from an infected tick. It is relatively rare with estimations that a small proportion of ticks in Ireland are infected.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland's specialist agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases. Lyme borreliosis is a notifiable infectious disease, the notifiable entity being the more severe neurological form, Lyme neuroborreliosis. The below table shows the number of notifications of Lyme disease in Ireland in each of the past 5 years. This information, including factsheets for the general public and a map of the most at risk areas can be found on the HPSC website here: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/
Lyme disease in Ireland in each of the past 5 years
|
Lyme disease (neuroborreliosis) in Ireland |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
The number of Lyme disease (neuroborreliosis) notifications |
12 |
13 |
6 |
15 |
4 |
|
The national (neuroborreliosis) notification rate per 100,000 population |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
0.08 |
The infection is known to be endemic in certain locations and in these areas GPs are very familiar with the most typical presentation which is a rash, often with a bull’s eye appearance. In this setting early treatment can be initiated by the GP and further testing is not required or recommended. More complicated cases require referral to Infectious Diseases clinics, which are currently present in all but one level 4 and all but two level 3 hospitals in Ireland. The Infectious Disease clinical program, which has been in place for one year, has a workforce strategy to establish a network of Infectious Diseases clinics that will address any current geographic inequity. The publicly funded Infectious Diseases clinics all support the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines regarding the diagnoses and treatment of Lyme disease. These clinics do not currently have waiting lists and patients are seen in a timely manner. Many hospital laboratories have the capacity to do Lyme serology (ELISA) locally and where not, referral of samples to the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) occurs. Confirmatory testing (western Blot) is referred to Porton Down which is the referral laboratory for the UK.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1727)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1727. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will recognise Lyme’s disease and co-infections as part of the long-term illness scheme and other State schemes and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are currently no plans to extend the list of illnesses covered by the scheme. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1728)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1728. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if all medically prescribed medications and supplements used in the treatment of Lyme disease and co-infections will be covered by the GMS and drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. 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 Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
As part of this question relates to a service matter, I have also asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1729 answered with Question No. 1726.
Question No. 1730 answered with Question No. 1726.
Question No. 1731 answered with Question No. 1726.
Question No. 1732 answered with Question No. 1726.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (1733)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1733. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress that is being made to enact the patient safety (notifiable patient safety incidents) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20781/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 provides the legislative framework for a number of important patient safety issues, including the mandatory open disclosure of a list of notifiable patient safety incidents and the notification of same externally to the Health Information and Quality Authority, Chief Inspector of Social Services and the Mental Health Commission, as appropriate, to contribute to national learning and system-wide improvements. This mandatory requirement for open disclosure will ensure that patients and their families receive appropriate timely information in relation to an incident that may have occurred in relation to their care.
The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 will also bring private hospitals within the remit of the Health Act 2007. The relevant provisions extend the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority, allowing it to set standards for the operation of private hospitals, to monitor compliance with them and to undertake inspections and investigations as required. The Bill also contains provisions to support clinical audit within the health service.
The Bill was introduced into Dáil Éireann on the 12 December 2019 and passed Second Stage in the Dáil at that time. The Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and recently passed Dáil Committee Stage on 10th March 2022 and will be progressed to Dáil Report Stage and through all Stages in the Seanad.
The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 is part of the broader programme of legislative and policy initiatives to improve the ability of the health service to anticipate, identify, and respond to patient safety issues, and to improve the quality and safety of health services for patients. Creating a culture of open disclosure and learning from the things that go wrong is the bedrock of making services safer.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (1734)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1734. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the Scally report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to fully implement the recommendations contained in Dr Scally’s Report of the Scoping Inquiry, and all other reports into CervicalCheck.
There has been significant progress made in implementing the recommendations and associated actions from Dr Scally's report. The Department of Health engages on an ongoing basis with the HSE and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland to oversee implementation the recommendations. The latest progress report, published by the Department of Health, shows that at end 2021, just four (4) out of 170 actions remain to be completed. Work is well underway in completing the four remaining actions, which are all 'in progress' and a priority focus for completion in 2022.
Since Quarter 1 2019, the Department of Health has been publishing quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations made in Dr Scally’s 2018 report; the full archive and previous quarterly progress reports are available on the Department of Health website.
Dr Scally last reported on the implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry in April 2020. In this review report, Dr Scally says that substantial progress has been made, the vast majority of actions were on track or were completed, and he is satisfied with the approach and structures in place for implementation. In addition, the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Anne Scott, and which includes representatives from 221+ Group and patient advocates in its membership have a role in oversight role in the implementation of the remaining recommendations.
I have asked Dr Gabriel Scally to conduct a final progress review of implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck screening programme and this is now underway.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (1735)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1735. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting home care support in County Kildare; the total number of hours allocated in each of the past 12 months in County Kildare; the average number of hours granted to each successful applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20783/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (1736)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1736. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided to families in County Kildare over each of the past 12 months; the number that have been provided in each month since March 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (1737)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1737. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of day care centres in County Kildare that have yet to reopen; the number that will be reopened by September 2022; if any will not be in a position to reopen by that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (1738)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:1738. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) to provide a four-bedded residential home in Kilkenny city. [20789/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the question relates to an operational matter, I am forwarding it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (1739)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:1739. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a working party to investigate the needs of persons living with Huntington’s disease and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this matter is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (1740)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:1740. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of the resourcing of the National Ambulance Service by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20793/22]
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1741)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:1741. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the way that he proposes to address excessive waiting times for gynaecological appointments at Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
Gynaecology waiting lists are a priority area of focus of this plan. The NTPF have advised my Department that to date this year they have approved a gynaecology outpatient initiative at Ennis General Hospital which will facilitate appointments for 644 patients on gynaecology outpatient waiting lists.
More broadly, the Waiting List Action Plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1742)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1742. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current status and availability of kaftrio for cystic fibrosis patients under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20797/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (1743)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1743. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioner services have ceased in a centre (details supplied); when the general practitioner services will resume; if there is an agreement in place to ensure that the service will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20798/22]
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.