Written Answers Nos. 1388-1405
1388. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason that botox treatment has been stopped given that the treatment was working for a patient (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28869/22]
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.
1389. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting over three years for a behavioural assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28871/22]
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.
1390. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding the endorsement of a person accused of war crimes and genocide. [28885/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland along with sixteen other EU member states nominated Dr Tedros for re-election as Director General of the World Health Organisation on 23rd September 2021. It was felt that endorsing the work of the WHO overall and continuation of the process of strengthening the WHO, which Dr Tedros had begun, was more important than ever in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. There was widespread support for Dr Tedros, who was subsequently re-elected for a second term as Director General of the WHO during the World Health Assembly 75 (22nd to 28th May 2022) with 155 Member States in favour to 5 Member States against.
1391. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the pandemic recognition payment will be paid to radiation therapy students; if a specific form will be made available to these students to allow them to make an application for the benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1392. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy delays in the registration of nurses, coming from or returning from overseas, with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; and if he will request the board to consider measures to accelerate registrations in view of staff shortages.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ireland rests with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The NMBI has a number of statutory obligations to protect the integrity of the practice of the professions of nursing and midwifery, and to protect the public. These obligations include:
- maintaining the Register of Nurses & Midwives,
- setting the standards for the education and training of nurses and midwives,
- approving programmes of education necessary for registration and specialisms and monitoring of these programmes on an ongoing basis,
- supporting registrants by providing appropriate guidance on professional conduct and ethics for both registered nurses and midwives, and
- conducting inquiries into complaints about registrants.
On 1 November 2021, there were 81,331 nurses and midwives on the NMBI Register. This is the highest ever number and is 2,003 or 2.5% above the 01 November 2020 figure of 79,328 registrants. NMBI intends shortly to publish more granular details from the Register based on the data from the 2021 renewal cycle. This will provide the most up-to-date and accurate view of the Register.
In recent years, the NMBI had been dealing with an increasing volume of overseas applications to the Register. This, along with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the work involved in transitioning to a new digital registration system (MyNMBI) had led to a backlog in processing overseas (non-EU) registration applications.
Over the past number of months, my Department has been actively engaged with the NMBI to reduce this backlog and to ensure a more streamlined process for managing overseas applications. A key milestone in the registration process is the applicant attaining a Decision Letters (DLs) from the NMBI. This allows the applicant to apply for the necessary visa, required so that they can take the final steps to secure registration.
The NMBI recognises the importance of prompt processing of all applications for registration, particularly in the current climate where additional staffing is required around the country. Intensive efforts are continuing to expedite the processing of these overseas applications and several new measures are being undertaken by NMBI including:
- Additional resources, including staffing. Currently, there are 26 staff in the NMBI’s Registration department; in 2021 there were 14 staff members,
- Process improvements,
- Applicant input and collaboration,
- Updated NMBI guidance, and
- Stakeholder communication and collaboration.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these measures are having a positive effect across the various stages of the process with the increase in the number of DLs in particular demonstrating this. In 2021, 2,430 DLs issued to overseas applicants, and year to date in 2022, NMBI has issued 2,253 DLs. This means that the backlog in processing overseas applications has been greatly reduced. The NMBI is now forecasting that it will issue over 5,000 DLs in 2022. The NMBI has now reported to my Department that currently, complete applications can be processed within 90 days, which is in accordance with its key performance indicator for these applications.
Along with the NMBI, I welcome registration applications from those nurses and midwives who were educated overseas as they seek to join the health service workforce in the State.
1393. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the rules that are in place in relation to general practitioners charging medical card holders to conduct blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28909/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.
The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for such blood tests. In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management programme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
1394. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status and the details of a capital plan project (details supplied). [28910/22]
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.
1395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if staff working in the housekeeping section of private nursing homes will be entitled to the pandemic bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs on 19th April, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. They shall shortly publish information for those certain non-HSE/S38 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 frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
1396. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have had discussions on the provision of gallium scans outside Dublin given that there appears to be a considerable waiting list for the two existing units in the belief that those outside Dublin are being unfairly treated on the waiting list; if such discussions have occurred the status of such plans; the areas in which will they be located; if finance has been provided; when the scans will be operational; if not, if he will address this imbalance in the health system as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28940/22]
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.
1397. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and physiotherapy vacancies in the children’s disability network teams by county from May 2021 to June 2022; the way in which these vacancies are advertised; the length of time for which each advertisement is displayed; the number of applications that were received; the number of persons who were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28944/22]
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.
1398. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and physiotherapy vacancies related to staff on the children’s disability network teams who are on maternity leave or other long-term absence; if they have been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28945/22]
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.
1399. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will extend an invitation to an organisation (details supplied) for the next national oversight committee on the national drugs strategy meeting given its previous position on the committee and the failure to appoint a nursing representative to same, as committed to. [28957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform you that I have appointed a clinical expert in nursing and addiction to the National Oversight Committee. This person was nominated for the position following a call for expressions of interest overseen by the Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health. The new appointee attended the meeting of the National Oversight Committee on the 9th of June.
I appreciate the contribution the organisation referred to by the Deputy can make to the national drugs strategy as part of civil society. The organisation has been invited to nominate a person to one of the strategic implementation groups, under the auspices of the National Oversight Committee.
I wish to reaffirm my commitment to the inter-agency approach involving a partnership between statutory, community and voluntary bodies to respond to the drug problem.
1400. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his Department will ensure that all women over the age of 64 years can access free breast cancer screening; if he will outline the aftercare services that are available for women recovering from breast cancer; and when a full lymphoedema clinic will be available in Ennis, County Clare. [28964/22]
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.
1401. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of long-Covid clinics; the staffing assigned for each of the hospital groups and-or community healthcare organisations in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1469. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if a long-Covid clinic will be established in Sligo University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1728. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of the long-Covid clinic in University Hospital Limerick (details supplied); when the unit is due to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1798. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the health measures that will be put in place to assist those with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30381/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1799. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if long-Covid clinics will be available for patients in each of the HSE regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1879. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to establish a multidisciplinary team on long Covid in view of the significant evidence of neurological and psychological complications associated with this illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30640/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1880. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of additional neurological and psychological posts that will be created through the interim model of care for long Covid; the location of these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30641/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1907. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the supports that will be available to people affected with long Covid; if this will include access to upskilled occupational therapists for post-Covid care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1922. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increasing the availability of long-Covid clinics to ensure access to care for all long-Covid patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1401, 1469, 1728, 1798, 1799, 1879, 1880, 1907 and 1922 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
1402. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when agency staff can expect to be paid the pandemic bonus payment considering that HSE staff have now been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs on 19th April, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. They shall shortly publish information for those certain non-HSE/S38 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 frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
1403. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the details of an action plan of how and when a phlebotomist will be in place on the paediatric ward at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; when the appropriate staff will be given and made available to secure a day ward for the paediatric department. [28987/22]
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.
1404. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a specialist multiple-system atrophy nurse will be provided for those diagnosed with this progressive neurologic disease; the number of persons with this diagnosis; and the current access to specialist multiple-system atrophy care. [29008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
1405. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current number of whole-time equivalent vacancies per department in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [29011/22]
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.
