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Thursday, 12 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 330-344

Health Services

Ceisteanna (330)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

330. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the way that the Government intends to assist parents who are in need of respite care for their children in the greater Killarney, County Kerry area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disease Management

Ceisteanna (331)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

331. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when the specialised chronic disease management team will be in place in County Wexford under the Enhanced Community Care Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 Facilities

Ceisteanna (332)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

332. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds that will be available in Abbeyleix Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (333)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

333. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will raise with the HSE the reason that there are only seven of the 28 beds available being used in Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois despite the works having been fully completed at the facility. [23948/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (334)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

334. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the day care centre at Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois will reopen to meet the huge demand for the services in the area. [23949/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (335)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

335. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 371 of 24 March 2022, the status of the response (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23957/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I understand that the Head of Service-Primary Care in the South East Community Healthcare Organisation replied directly to the Deputy on 4th April 2022 regarding the queries raised in Parliamentary Question No. 371 regarding Section 39 funding for Hope Cancer Support Centre.

The funding of voluntary organisations through Section 39 is administered by the HSE. As such, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Pharmacy Services

Ceisteanna (336)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

336. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 543 of 4 May 2022, if his attention has been drawn to the use of online consultations by some pharmacies here that result in medicine being prescribed; and if he will consider broadening the range of medicines that these providers can prescribe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23963/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Health is committed to the ethos of ensuring that the right care is delivered in the right place and at the right time for all citizens and recognises that all healthcare professionals have a role to play in optimising patient care and service delivery in line with this vision.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and are the professionals optimally placed by virtue of their training to optimise the rational use of medicines in the health system for best patient outcomes, and in partnership with prescribing colleagues, to maximise the benefits and minimise the potential for patient harm when using medicines and pharmacological interventions.

The system of controls around prescribing and dispending of human prescription controlled medicinal products (excepting those products subject to additional parameters under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and Regulations) is derived from the framework of Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, and is implemented nationally by the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003-2022. These regulations apply an up-to-date and comprehensive system of control to medicinal products and identify those products which may only be supplied on medical prescription. They define what a “prescription” is with reference to those healthcare professionals who are entitled to prescribe. Pharmacists do not currently prescribe prescription controlled medicinal products, but dispense such products in accordance with the authority conferred to supply, underpinned by a validly issued prescription.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the Competent Authority in Ireland responsible for deciding the legal supply category for a medicine. The supply category is specific to the product and is part of the marketing authorisation.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (337)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

337. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when the reopening of the elective ward at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly will occur in order to alleviate the backlog of patients waiting on procedures. [23965/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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

Ceisteanna (338)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

338. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if budgetary provision is being made for the medical need of persons with long-Covid; the way in which his Department is planning for same; if his Department is liaising with other Departments on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23995/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

COVID-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features, incidence and its course are still emerging. The natural history, clinical course and consequences of COVID19 are still not completely understood. It is recognised that most patients with COVID-19 return to baseline after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, but a proportion report ongoing health issues.

The number of people that are affected with longer term sequelae after acute COVID-19 remains unknown, but published reports indicate that approximately 10– 20% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms for weeks to months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. Those who are concerned about Long COVID, should engage with their GP in the first instance for advice and referral, if needed.

The HSE has developed an interim Model of Care for Long COVID which aims to build on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. There will be a phased implementation with a focus on establishing, Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics nationally as initial priority. This will involve expanding the resources at existing clinics where required and development of new clinics in line with the Model of Care.

The HSE has advised that funding of €2.2 million has been allocated within the HSE for Long COVID service development in 2022. Access to these services will be in line with the current approach across health and social care services.

In line with current policy, those without the means to access services, including Long COVID services, may be eligible to apply for a medical card to assist with access. Under the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.

The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from, the social and medical impacts of an illness.

The Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit Schemes do not fall under the remit of the Department of Health, however information on the scheme and how to apply can be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/df6811-disability-allowance/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/ddf6e3-illness-benefit/

Health Services

Ceisteanna (339)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

339. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will continue and increase funding for services urgently needed to support people with long-Covid who are extremely ill with severe symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23998/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

COVID-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features, incidence and its course are still emerging. The natural history, clinical course and consequences of COVID19 are still not completely understood. It is recognised that most patients with COVID-19 return to baseline after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, but a proportion report ongoing health issues.

The number of people that are affected with longer term sequelae after acute COVID-19 remains unknown, but published reports indicate that approximately 10– 20% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms for weeks to months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. Those who are concerned about Long COVID, should engage with their GP in the first instance for advice and referral, if needed.

The HSE has developed an interim Model of Care for Long COVID which aims to build on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. There will be a phased implementation with a focus on establishing, Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics nationally as initial priority. This will involve expanding the resources at existing clinics where required and development of new clinics in line with the Model of Care.

The HSE has advised that funding of €2.2 million has been allocated within the HSE for Long COVID service development in 2022.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (340)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

340. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the approximate waiting times for patients who, following cataract surgery develop issues and require further laser surgery (details supplied); the number of persons who are currently waiting for this procedure in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24002/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.

The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

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 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.

The 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.

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (341)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

341. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the policy in relation to CervicalCheck services; if the system is changing in relation to the use of HPV testing; if so, the locations in which this testing will be carried out; if a competitive tendering will be arranged for this service; if he has plans to build up the university courses and qualification standards necessary to ensure that this service is conducted in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24003/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (342)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

342. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding homeless services workers to the Covid-19 front-line bonus payment in recognition of their efforts throughout the national lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24009/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html

Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:

- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

- Agency roles working in the HSE;

- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE;

- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage

I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above front-line workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (343)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

343. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the children’s disability network team in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24029/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ambulance Service

Ceisteanna (344, 345)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

344. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that medical card holders who are resident in nursing homes are being denied their right to a public ambulance to transport them to either outpatient or inpatient hospital appointments and that families are being presented with accumulating bills from private ambulance providers. [24034/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

345. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that private ambulances are being utilised by nursing homes for the transport of medical card holders who cannot be transferred by wheelchair taxi to hospital in cases in which the national ambulance service or another ambulance service (details supplied) could provide this service either freely or for a nominal fee. [24035/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.

The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:

- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;

- Bed and board;

- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and

- Laundry service.

Costs not covered by the NHSS include those individually incurred for items like social activities, newspapers and hairdressing. This may also include medical services such as therapies and some medical equipment. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.

It is important to state that residents of nursing homes should enjoy the same levels of support and access to services as when they lived in their own homes. It is acknowledged that the reason they require 24 hour levels of support is due to their level of dependency, which in turn may require access to clinical services including hospital and other outpatient appointments in the community. The HSE provides for a level of Intermediate Care Vehicles, which are used predominantly for non-emergency transport between acute hospitals for admission and discharge purposes. They would be reserved for those who would need specific support in transport. In other cases, normal transport arrangements apply. These arrangements (e.g. wheelchair taxi) are normally funded by the individual.

Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, as set out above. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory).

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