Written Answers Nos. 81-102
81. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list, the speech and language therapy initial treatment waiting list, the speech and language therapy further treatment waiting list and the occupational therapy first-time assessment waiting list; and the number that have been waiting for more than 12 months on each list. [26631/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date with the provision of a new cancer care facility for the Saolta Group of Hospitals in Galway University Hospital; the steps that are being taken to expedite the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26897/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and the National Programme for Radiation Oncology (NPRO) provide the strategic direction for the provision of radiation oncology services in Ireland. Under the NPRO, radiation oncology facilities in Saolta University Health Care Group are being enhanced and expanded.
The new radiation oncology facility under construction at University Hospital Galway represents an investment of more than €50m. The facility will include seven radiotherapy treatment vaults, a brachytherapy suite, two CT rooms, MRI, on-treatment support, and ancillary physics, treatment planning and administration facilities. The project is nearing completion and will be fully operational in 2023.
Consideration is underway for enhanced infrastructure for the provision and integration of other cancer services (such as rapid access services, diagnostics, surgery, systemic therapy and support services).
84. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the way that the Waiting List Action Plan will reduce waiting times for both in-patient and day case procedures and outpatient consultations at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2022 Waiting List Action Plan allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to provide additional activity to further stabilise and reduce scheduled care waiting lists and times and bring forward much needed longer-term reform. We estimate that over 1.5 million patients will be added to active waiting lists this year. This Plan details how we intend to ensure that an even higher number, 1.7 million, are treated and removed from waiting lists.
Much of our waiting list funding will be directed to public hospitals, where additional elective activity will take place. However, we will also make greater use of the private sector, so we can help patients to get faster access to care.
While the Plan provides overall direction and actions to be implemented across all acute scheduled care waiting lists this year, it does not specify plans per hospital. However, the HSE have been working closely with all hospital groups to finalise care improvement plans which will support funding prioritisation to help reduce waiting list backlogs and identify and build sustainable capacity within the Irish Health Service.
We will also progress work towards the achievement of intermediate waiting time targets, as set out in the HSE National Service Plan (of 18 months for OPD; 12 months for IPDC; and 12 months for GI scopes). We had 75,000 patients on active inpatient and day case waiting lists at the end of 2021 and aim to have treated almost all those patients by the end of 2022.
85. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of times that he and his Department have met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) since becoming Minister in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one.
Department officials met with the HSE and the MLSA on 25 August, and again on 29 September 2020 in relation to their outstanding claim. The parties met at the WRC on the 17th of November 2020, 14th April 2021 and 8th March 2022.
Sectoral Bargaining Meetings took place between Health Management and the MLSA on the following dates; 11th November 2021, 29th of November 2021, 6th December 2021, 14th of December 2021 and the 14th of January 2022.
Despite engagement between the MLSA, HSE and DoH officials since November 2021, it has not been possible to agree a route to partially resolve the longstanding claim due to insufficient funds being available through Sectoral Bargaining. This matter has been escalated through the dispute resolution mechanism under Building Momentum and considered twice by the Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG) on 31 March and 11 May. PSAG recommended that this matter be referred to the WRC for urgent engagement and that industrial peace be maintained.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum. This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th 2022 but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.
While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service, Health Management remain open to engagement with the MLSA.
86. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of services available in the Cork University Hospital paediatric diabetic clinic (details supplied); if additional consultants and specialist nurses are being recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25837/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
87. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to address the non-consultant doctor shortage in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
88. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all positions within the children’s disability network teams are filled and there are no gaps in staffing. [26863/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
89. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to source oestrogel or a suitable alternative; when he expects the drug to be available to women who depend on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for securing a reliable supply of hormone replacement therapeutics; if he will appoint a designated official responsible for ensuring adequate supply of HRT in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26380/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the progress that his Department has made in addressing the debilitating and distressing shortage of hormone replacement treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26418/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 108 and 331 together.
I recently met with key stakeholders involved in the supply of HRT products to the Irish market. Present at this meeting were representatives of suppliers of HRT, the HPRA, PSI, the HSE, clinical representatives from the National Women and Infants Health Programme, and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union.
Based on information provided by companies involved in the recent HRT shortages, we now appear to have entered a stabilisation period in supply. During this stabilisation period, it is essential that patients do not seek supplies of medicines over and above their normal requirements as doing so will disrupt existing stock levels and hamper the supply of medicines for others. Following my meeting with key stakeholders involved in the supply of HRT products to the Irish market it was agreed to establish a multi-stakeholder group to closely monitor the supply of HRT until the issue is fully resolved.
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.
90. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of capital projects associated with Mayo University Hospital specifically the emergency department expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27032/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
91. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the consideration that he and his Department have given to the requests by an organisation (details supplied) for a new contract to replace the existing 23-year-old contract for public eye-care and for the expansion of services accessed in the community. [26033/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI value the important role community optometrists play in our Health Service in the delivery of holistic patient care. In particular, I fully acknowledge that community optometrists have played a key role in responding to the health needs of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During COVID-19 optometrists have been responsive to the challenges presented and have developed guidelines and procedures to safely deliver patient care. I also recognise that optometrists have also played an important role in the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Optometrists have the potential to play a greater role, and my officials are working with their counterparts in the HSE with a view to contracting more services from acute and community settings out to community optometrists.
The current contract with Optometrists dates back to 1999 and it is accepted that it is has not kept pace with developments that have taken place over the course of recent years including the recommendations from the 2017 Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report, interdisciplinary collaboration and the skillset that optometrists have by virtue of their education and training.
I am fully committed to the development of community services which can facilitate expanded and more integrated provision of eye care in local communities. In this context, a contractual relationship between optometrists and the HSE which is modernised to emphasise a strengthened primary care system will be required.
Any publicly funded service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services or provide better value for money or patient outcomes.
Subject to available resources, the 2022 priority for the HSE is to support the Primary Care Eye Teams in CHOs 6, 7 and 9 in rolling out a team model. In this context, multi-disciplinary staff, including optometrists, working within primary care eye teams will manage patients in order to reduce hospital waiting lists.
92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the concession of a €14,000 disregard on rental income for social welfare purposes will be extended to a disregard of rental income for the fair deal scheme. [26878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health has agreed to action 19.8 in the Housing for All Strategy to develop a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties "in a way that is targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people".
Following this, the Government has approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to incentivise applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental properties will be reduced from 80% to 40% for income from all principal residences. This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. The Deputy may be aware that a 100% disregard of rental income was originally proposed, however I sought the compromised and final agreed position of 40%. This compromise I feel goes someway to addressing the concerns expressed by some people in relation to medical cards, along with concerns I held myself in relation to non-contributory pensions and indeed safeguarding of nursing home residents. Any additional disregard of rental income would compromise this position.
This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. It is expected that legislation will be brought forward in the coming months. The change will be made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022.
93. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that the report by the review team into the disposal of perinatal organs at Cork University Maternity Hospital will be furnished to the families affected as soon as possible and without further delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would once again like to express my sympathy to the families in Cork who, having experienced the tragedy of losing a beloved child, then had the difficult experience of learning that the organs of their child were disposed of without their consent.
My Department is advised that the HSE, South/South West Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital have apologised to the bereaved families and very much regret the incident.
I and the HSE are committed to ensuring that there is learning across the health service to prevent such events happening again. The HSE advise that the Systems Analysis Review being undertaken by the South/South West Hospital Group is still under way and we will act on any recommendations. The Review Team has been engaging with the families affected.
Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital identified 18 families that were affected by the incident. The Department of Health was informed that open disclosure occurred with the parents, and, in line with the HSE’s Incident Management Framework, the families have been encouraged to participate in the ongoing review process to ensure that their experience is incorporated so that there is learning and improvement from this incident.
This incident was originally advised to my Department via the Patient Safety Communications Protocol on 12th May 2020. Since this time, following requests from my Department, 16 updates have been received from the HSE with the most recent update provided on 16th May 2022.
The HSE advise that the Review Team are currently engaging legal opinion on the draft report before sending to participants in accordance with factual accuracy checking and fair procedures. Once this process is complete the final draft will be shared with the families for input on factual accuracy checking.
The HSE advise that communication was issued to the families on 16th May advising of a delay to the anticipated timeframe for sharing the final draft report of mid-May.
My Department is continuing to engage with the HSE in relation to progress on this matter.
94. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to address the inpatient bed capacity shortages at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25904/22]
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.
95. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his views on a facility (details supplied); if the building will be now upgraded to meet the needs of the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/22]
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.
96. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of healthcare services and entitlements, medications, and surgical interventions for persons that contracted hepatitis C through the administration of contaminated blood or blood products within the State; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26378/22]
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.
97. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way that he plans to address the almost 400 medical laboratory scientist staff vacancies and to make these posts more attractive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I wish to pay tribute to the commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining to address outstanding claims. Under Building Momentum, sectoral bargaining is the sole mechanism through which the MLSA can advance their claim for pay parity.
The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks for many months to find a way to advance the claim through Sectoral Bargaining, however, the cost of their claim is substantially more than the bargaining fund available. Funding is available to partially resolve the claim within the current Agreement, but not to fully resolve it.
The issue was referred to the Public Service Agreement Group, and on May 11th , the body recommended that the matter be referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC on May 17th, they did not lift their industrial action, in breach of the Building Momentum peace clause, and resulting in significant, and regrettable, disruption across the health service.
Health management remain open to engaging with the MLSA and will make every effort to ensure that a resolution is found as soon as possible.
While I acknowledge that staff shortages exist in the Medical Scientist profession, since 2019 there has been a 6% growth in the number of medical scientists. The HSE plans to undertake recruitment campaign for Medical Scientists both nationally and internationally. Investment in development posts has been confirmed via the NSP 2022 and there are circa 160 development posts being recruited at this time in addition to replacement posts.
98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when the proposed new testing laboratory at the Coombe Hospital will be completed and operating; the number of medical laboratory scientists who are required to fully staff the facility; the estimated percentage of the CervicalCheck programme that this facility will conduct when fully operational; the locations in which the remaining testing for CervicalCheck programmes will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26872/22]
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.
99. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the procurement and tendering processes for the construction of major projects such as the new National Maternity Hospital. [26208/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo create a level playing field for all businesses across Europe, EU law sets out minimum harmonised public procurement rules. These rules govern the way public authorities and certain utility operators purchase goods, works and services. The public procurement of works related services is governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and transposed into Irish Law in 2016 by way of a national Regulation (S.I. No. 284 of 2016).
The National Public Procurement Policy Framework sets out the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under these national and EU rules.
The National Public Procurement Policy Framework consists of 5 strands:
- Legislation (Directives, Regulations)
- Government Policy (for example: Circulars)
- Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works
- General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services
- More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the Office of Government Procurement
Separate policy and guidance relating to works and works related services is published on the Construction Procurement Reform website (constructionprocurement.gov.ie) where the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) provides a suite of best practice, standard contracts and template documents.
The public works contract and the standard conditions of engagement (for works-related consultancy) are key components of the CWMF. In addition to forms of contract, the CWMF also contains template documents for the prequalification and tender stages of the procurement process as well as extensive guidance material in relation to the management of public works and services contracts.
The CWMF is designed to support the Public Spending Code and is used to support the development of capital infrastructure proposals such as that for the new National Maternity Hospital.
101. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the provision of homecare package providers in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26628/22]
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.
102. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the estimated updated final cost for the National Maternity Hospital and National Children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 17 May last, the Government approved the legal framework that will underpin the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to the St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) campus at Elm Park. Separate to the legal framework, and as required under the Public Spending Code, the final business case for the capital project is progressing.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
A Final business case has been submitted to the Department by the NMH Project Board and is now subject to technical review by the Department of Health, including the External Assurance Process for major capital projects recently introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Pending favourable review under the Spending Code, a Memorandum for Government will then be brought forward to progress the programme for the NMH. If approval in principle is granted, the project can move to preparation of tender documents in line with EU law and deployment of a tendering strategy.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of the NMH and therefore to estimate the cost for the new NMH cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal continues to deliver value for money and remains affordable.
The new Children’s Hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the Outpatient and Emergency Care Centre at Tallaght University Hospital.
In 2018, Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St James's Hospital campus, the two satellite centres, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces. The capital budget has not been depleted.
There are a number of items not included in this investment figure as there was no price certainly for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include construction inflation, the impact of Covid-19, statutory changes, any change in scope resulting in healthcare policy changes, and the Employment Order.
Additional costs in relation to the integration and transfer of the services of the three children’s hospitals to the new sites brings the total programme cost to over €1.7bn. This includes investment in ICT, a new Electronic Health Record system and the Children's Hospital Integration Programme (the merging of three paediatric hospitals) including commissioning.
Brexit, the pandemic and recent geopolitical developments have severely impacted supply chains and NCH project is not immune to these external challenges. Every effort is being taken to mitigate the risks but these externalities beyond the control of the contractor and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board make speculation and more definitive forecasting unwise.
Furthermore, updates on hypothetical costs cannot be provided due to the fact that there is a live contract in place and speculation on any additional costs would be detrimental to the Development Board’s commercial engagements.
