Written Answers Nos. 476-486
476. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the action being taken by the Government to address the ongoing situation in which 35 children with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis cannot access to the drug therapy kaftrio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his Department have undertaken with the HSE to address the availability, eligibility and access to the drug therapy kaftrio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
478. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to engage with the families of the 35 children with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis who cannot access the drug therapy katftrio; and if he will provide an update or information on the ongoing situation facing children. [31509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I was appointed Minister for Health, I have at all times prioritised the needs of patients and I have at every opportunity, made myself available to meet with patients and patient groups.
Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it.
I am advised that commercial discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer on extending the availability of the drug to these children are at a very sensitive stage, and that it would be inappropriate for me to engage with patient groups while those discussions are ongoing.
I certainly would not want to jeopardise those negotiations, which I hope can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone in the next few weeks.
I will be more than happy to meet with patient groups as soon as it is appropriate for me to do so.
479. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of eligible healthcare workers that have already received the Covid recognition payment within County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
480. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the date that all eligible healthcare workers will have received the Covid recognition payment within County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 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, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
I am assured by HSE officials that all services are in the process of actioning the payment of this recognition payment to those staff that have been deemed eligible to receive it, and that this is receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations.
Additionally, 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 the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly 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:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
481. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) will receive the Covid recognition payment. [31513/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that on 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, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.htmlThe HSE and my 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. I have asked that information be published shortly 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:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
482. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 60-74 and 75+ years on acute hospital waiting lists as of May 2022, by hospital and speciality in tabular form; and the number waiting 0-6, 6-12, 12-18 and 18+ months. [31516/22]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, outlines the number of patients aged over 60-74 and 75 on Outpatient and Inpatient waiting lists by hospital and specialty at the end of May 2022.
483. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged under 18 years of age on acute hospital waiting lists as of May 2022, by hospital and speciality in tabular form; the number waiting 0-6, 6-12, 12-18 and 18+ months.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31517/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document has been prepared by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and outlines the number of patients under 18 years of age on IPDC & OPD waiting lists by time-band, specialty and hospital.
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.
484. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the mean, median and maximum waiting time across National Treatment Purchase Fund reported waiting lists for May 2022, by speciality and hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31518/22]
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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the mean, median and maximum time that these patients have been waiting is provided in the attached document.
485. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a payment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [31519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I referred the question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. The HSE advised that they will require more details in order to address this question - the minimum information required is the subject's full name, address and date of birth. The Deputy's question refers to a series of emails in relation to this matter, but these have not been provided to my Department. If the Deputy could submit a revised query including the required information needed to respond, I would be happy to follow up on the matter raised.
486. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Consultant Applications Advisory Committee approved consultant posts as per Doctors Integrated. Management E-System by location, speciality, the basis on which they are filled and by tenure in tabular form; the number of posts filled and vacancies arising in May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31525/22]
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.
