Written Answers Nos. 205-224
205. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to locating a national genomics hub outside of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin given that the current location is causing difficulties in treating adult patients who make up the majority of patients attending the clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31085/22]
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
206. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for out-patient and in-patient appointments with clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors respectively; the plans, if any, that are in place to increase the number of clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors working in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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.
207. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if genetic data collected by an organisation (details supplied) over recent years has been shared with the HSE; if not, when this data will be shared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31087/22]
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
208. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to implementing a programme similar to a Finnish research project in Ireland (details supplied) in which the genetic make-up of a large sample of the population is analysed to inform healthcare and future research given that Ireland’s largely homogenous population and high incidence of rare disease makes it of particular interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Steering Group has been established to develop a National Genetic and Genomic Strategy. While the primary aim of this group is to set out a roadmap for the development of a high-performing genetics and genomics medical service, it provides an unprecedented opportunity to connect genomics healthcare services with the research and innovation community. Innovation in genomics is occurring across the globe and Ireland has a lot of international examples to draw from as we plot our path ahead. The FinnGen Project is one of these examples. It proves the valuable insights that can be gained from combining genome information with digital health care data. It is for this reason, we have sought input from international experts to inform our own Strategy.
Excellent research can only be achieved so long as the patient whose genomic data is being investigated is being protected and they are the forefront of the benefit of this work. We must continue to foster confidence by ensuring that patients and the public are giving full and clear consent. There are three other key developments underway that will help to shape and realise a way forward for Ireland.
1. The IPPOSI Citizens’ Jury on Future Use of Genomics, which began its deliberations earlier this month, will examine such areas as how genomic information can improve our health as individuals and as a society, to what extent we should support the increased use of genomics in our health care and health research, the challenges and opportunities that arise from doing so, and the safeguards that are needed to maximise progress while containing the risks. Its work is guided by an independent Oversight Panel, which includes public and patient representatives, the Health Research Board, clinicians, researchers, geneticists and regulatory experts. Genetic and genomic information belongs to people, and those people should have a say in how this information should be used in Ireland for health care and health research.
2. The current Health Research Board Strategy explicitly identifies the advancement of genomics research as a priority objective. Earlier this year, the HRB played a lead role in securing Ireland’s participation in a Digital Europe project to design, develop and implement a federated Genomics Data Infrastructure across Europe with the aim of ensuring that countries have the necessary data infrastructure in place to collect, store, manage, share, and analyse genomic datasets within and across EU Member states, in a secure, transparent and trusted manner. The project will allow authorised data users, such as clinicians and approved researchers, to advance our understanding of genomics for more precise and faster clinical decision-making, diagnostics, treatments and precision medicine. This project, which is co-funded by the HRB brings researchers, clinicians, patient representatives, clinical geneticists, data analysts and others together to develop a roadmap for such a data infrastructure in Ireland, with work on a roadmap beginning in earnest later this year.
3. Another key element for advancing genomics is access to biobanking infrastructure and support services. Fuelled by the COVID crisis, my Department made funding available for the first time to establish and maintain a national biobanking infrastructure to advance covid-19 research and innovation. This initiative, led by the Health Research Board, involves universities and hospitals across the country working together towards a common ambition, with an emphasis on international best practice, strong regulation and governance, and underpinned by principles of transparency and accessibility.
209. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be reinstated on the dentist medical card scheme without having to proceed through the tedious application process again considering that they were on the GMS scheme from 1982 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the news that some dentists are seeking reinstatement on the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides dental treatment for medical card holders aged 16 and over.
The HSE have advised that they are doing everything they can to expedite the processing of applications from dentists who wish to be reinstated on the DTSS. I have been assured by the HSE that they are confident that once the paperwork which the dentist needs to provide is in order, it is feasible for that dentist to be reinstated on the scheme in a matter of weeks.
However, there are certain essential supporting documents which applicants need to provide and which need to be in order to allow processing of an application to proceed. These include:
a. Evidence of Registration with Irish Dental Council;
b. Evidence of Professional Indemnification/Insurance with a recognised dental defence organisation or other insurer;
c. Evidence of Xray Licence for equipment at the premises stated on the application form;
d. Tax Clearance Certificate with PPSN and Access Code for online verification;
e. Evidence of Public Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €6.5 millions;
f. Evidence of Employer Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €12.7 millions; and
g. Dental Contractors must also provide written confirmation from their insurance/indemnity provider that the insurer is authorised to operate in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland.
A premises inspection will then be required for dentists who have not undergone an inspection by the HSE in the past two years. However, the HSE has assured me that they will expedite this inspection within 1-2 weeks of receipt of the appropriate paperwork.
The HSE is available to advise any dentist who is seeking reinstatement on the DTSS.
210. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be reinstated on the dentist medical card scheme without having to proceed through the tedious application process again considering that they were on the GMS scheme from 2008 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the news that some dentists are seeking reinstatement on the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides dental treatment for medical card holders aged 16 and over.
The HSE have advised that they are doing everything they can to expedite the processing of applications from dentists who wish to be reinstated on the DTSS. I have been assured by the HSE that they are confident that once the paperwork which the dentist needs to provide is in order, it is feasible for that dentist to be reinstated on the scheme in a matter of weeks.
However, there are certain essential supporting documents which applicants need to provide and which need to be in order to allow processing of an application to proceed. These include:
- a. Evidence of Registration with Irish Dental Council;
- b. Evidence of Professional Indemnification/Insurance with a recognised dental defence organisation or other insurer;
- c. Evidence of Xray Licence for equipment at the premises stated on the application form;
- d. Tax Clearance Certificate with PPSN and Access Code for online verification;
- e. Evidence of Public Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €6.5 millions;
- f. Evidence of Employer Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €12.7 millions; and
- g. Dental Contractors must also provide written confirmation from their insurance/indemnity provider that the insurer is authorised to operate in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland.
A premises inspection will then be required for dentists who have not undergone an inspection by the HSE in the past two years. However, the HSE has assured me that they will expedite this inspection within 1-2 weeks of receipt of the appropriate paperwork.
The HSE is available to advise any dentist who is seeking reinstatement on the DTSS.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 25 May 2022 (details supplied), the advice that National Immunisation Advisory Committee would provide in such circumstances and if it can be left to the discretion of their doctor; if the HSE details and guidelines for Covid boosters for high risk children and their carers can be made available as soon as possible in view that currently only guidelines are available for high risk vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
213. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a BreastCheck service is available within a reasonable distance for women living in County Leitrim (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
214. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the investigations he has carried out into the increase adverse incidents that have happened in hospitals around the country; and the investigations HIQA has carried out into the overcrowding at each hospital in the State. [31145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen serious adverse events occur, it is vital that our health services take steps to ensure that such events are appropriately reviewed and responded to at a national level.
The HSE’s Incident Management Framework was launched in 2018 and updated in 2020. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is applied to the management of individual incidents and is the mechanism for incident investigations in the HSE. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is designed to provide health and social care services with a practical and proportionate approach to the management of incidents. The focus of the Framework is on understanding how and why an incident occurred and using this knowledge to improve safety. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework places emphasis on the need, in the aftermath of an incident, to adopt an empathetic, person centred and practical response to persons affected by an incident.
In relation to HIQA, it was established as an independent statutory authority under the Health Act 2007 to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. The Health Act 2007, Section 8(1) (c) confers the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) with statutory responsibility for monitoring the quality and safety of healthcare services.
HIQA have recently launched a new inspection methodology. Since the launch of the new methodology, HIQA have inspected six hospitals. Due to concerns about ongoing overcrowding, HIQA conducted a risk-based unannounced inspection of the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick on 15th March 2022.
215. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the investigations that HIQA has carried out into the decisions made by senior HSE management to close capacity in the health service that has directly led to overcrowding in hospitals (details supplied); if he has investigated this and the contribution these closures had on the overcrowding in Limerick; and if he has investigated the people who made the decisions to close them. [31146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIQA is an independent statutory authority established under the Health Act 2007 to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. Since its establishment in 2007, HIQA has regulated and monitored certain health and social care services across Ireland. HIQA’s role in monitoring healthcare services is directed by its legislative remit, national standards and evidence of what interventions reduce risks for patients and promote safe, effective and quality care. Engagement with interested parties, international research, guidelines and best practice all help to inform HIQA’s monitoring programmes.
The Health Act 2007, Section 8(1) (c) confers the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) with statutory responsibility for monitoring the quality and safety of healthcare services.
HIQA has been engaging with the UL Hospitals Group since July 2020 in relation to overcrowding in the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. HIQA believed that an investigation of the overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick would be inappropriate while the hospital was challenged with the management of COVID-19 related activity. HIQA sought further information and assurances from the hospital group relating to their evaluation of the factors influencing the continued overcrowding in the hospital’s emergency department.
Having flagged their intention to include Limerick as an early inspection once their new programme of monitoring commenced, HIQA conducted a risk-based unannounced inspection of the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick on 15th March 2022. The report of that inspection is due for publication on Friday 17th of June, 2022.
University Hospital Limerick has experienced a substantial increase in attendances in recent months and recorded a 10% increase in attendances in the first quarter of this year, as compared to the same timeframe in 2019.
I visited UHL in February and met staff, patients and management, and subsequently requested the HSE CEO to appoint an expert team to review ED operations at the hospital. The Review Team reviewed the day-to-day functioning of UHL within a leadership, management, operational and clinical context to consider how improvements in UHL may be enabled in the short term. Critically, it sought to identify what is required locally, regionally and nationally to support operational and clinical effectiveness on a sustained basis across UHL. Key drivers of the Review Process were the delivery of safe effective care for the population served by UHL and the close, integrated and patient centred collaboration with Community Operations in CHO Midwest.
Separately the hospital management has commissioned an external review (Deloitte) to review and advise on unscheduled care and patient flow in the hospital and the HSE review team will also consider the outputs of this work in its review. I am awaiting the findings of the HSE review team.
I am aware of the sustained increase in ED attendance in 2022, and have also has met with the Chair, CEO, and senior management in the HSE and requested the development of comprehensive plans for each ED which will set out short term and long-term measures to be taken locally and nationally, including at each Community Healthcare Organisation, to ensure sustainable improvements in ED performance. I and my department are working closely with the HSE on developing the plans which will be published in due course.
217. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been informed by the HSE that it is without funding to provide the necessary transport to enable them to attend the day service provided by a centre in Mullingar. [31162/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
218. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the consideration that his Department has given to banning the sale of flavoured vape products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his Department’s work with regard to vaping in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
Electronic cigarettes are regulated by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU). The Directive is currently being reviewed and it is likely that this will lead to further regulation of electronic cigarettes although it is not yet clear if it will include a prohibition on the sale of flavoured vape liquids.
The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will regulate the retail environment for electronic cigarettes by introducing a mandatory licensing system for retailers and by prohibiting their sale to, and by, persons under 18 years of age. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. The Programme for Government also contains a number of commitments relating to electronic cigarettes; these include restricting the types of retailers that can sell electronic cigarettes and curbing the advertising of electronic cigarettes near schools, on public transport and in cinemas.
220. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the directions that were given by his Department to HSE senior managers who were controlling the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine programme to patient and staff cohorts in their local CHO in January 2021 in relation to when it was appropriate for non-patient-facing managers, including these senior managers, to be offered vaccines; if he will identify the position in the priority of scheduling these non-patient-facing managers should have been placed; if his attention has been drawn to instances in which non-patient-facing HSE senior managers were offered vaccines ahead of vulnerable patient and staff cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/22]
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.
221. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the sudden closure of Castlemartyr health centre; if the services provided there will be recommencing at that location; the expected timeframe for same; if there are any other planned closures of similar facilities, temporary or otherwise, in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/22]
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.
222. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total number of antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments which have been ordered to date; the number that have been delivered; the schedule for delivery for the remaining; the number that have been used to treat Covid-19 patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/22]
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.
223. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to increase orders for antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments in view of recent reports that the number of Covid-19 deaths per million people in Ireland is currently the highest in Europe and the seventh highest in the world; if he intends to make antivirals more widely available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/22]
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.
224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate BreastCheck appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford. [31190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
