Written Answers Nos. 792-811
793. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of attendees who were admitted within six hours of registration at the emergency department of the UL Hospitals Group in April, May and June 2022; the overall mortality rate within the department for the past three months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37070/22]
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.
794. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate and his views on whether there is a supply chain issue with the supply of the prescription medication concerta XL used for the treatment of ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37071/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra934. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of concerta XL 36mg medication in pharmacies in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 794 and 934 together.
Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicine shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
Department officials engaged the HPRA who contacted the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAG) of Concerta, along with the wholesalers, after receiving queries from a patient's carer regarding supply challenges as well as some direct representation from TDs. The MAH stated that although there are global constraints on Concerta products, there was no stock-out for the products in Ireland. However, some logistical and operational issues resulted in a delay in some wholesalers receiving their allocation for July. This has since been rectified and HPRA understands that the situation has been resolved. Additionally, the MAH has put in place measures to ensure that a situation like this does not reoccur, including an emergency mechanism where a pharmacist or wholesaler can request additional stock to meet patient needs.
In many instances a shortage of a particular medicine is effectively addressed to ensure continuity of care for a patient including through the substitution for a generic version (in the case of a branded medicine short supply) or a generic version from a different manufacturer (in the case of a generic medicine in short supply). Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 medicines which are deemed to be interchangeable can be directly substituted for one another by a pharmacist.
Where an interchangeable product is not available in Ireland, a pharmacist, in consultation with the prescriber, can source a medicine containing the same active ingredient in order to ensure that continuity of patient care is maintained, wherever possible. Such medicines may be sourced in another European Member State, or by a specialist wholesaler in a third country, and are known as exempt medicinal products (EMPs). EMPs have not been granted a marketing authorisation in Ireland by the HPRA but are sourced in response to a bona fide unsolicited order in order to fulfil the special needs of a patient. These medicines will however have undergone an evaluation of their safety, quality, and efficacy for the granting of their marketing authorisation in another EU Member State or third country by the respective competent authority for medicines.
In other instances, where a medicine shortage occurs due to a more global issue affecting multiple countries, a patient may be directed to return to their clinician to consider prescribing an alternative medicine for the treatment of their condition.
Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medicine shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare professional involved in their care.
795. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the date by when a senior podiatrist will take-up position in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra796. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of months that University Hospital Kerry has been without a senior podiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra797. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if one whole-time equivalent senior podiatrist will be appointed to University Hospital Kerry as opposed to a shared resource with another hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 795 to 797, inclusive, together.
As the matters raised in these Parliamentary Questions are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
798. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting for an appointment with a senior podiatrist in University Hospital Kerry; the number waiting 0-3, 4-6, 6-9, 12-18 months and more than 18 months who had to travel from County Kerry to counties Cork and Limerick, respectively to be seen by a consultant podiatrist from January 2021 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37075/22]
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.
799. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to extend Covid-19 vaccinations to children under five years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37077/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to implement a Covid-19 vaccine for children under five years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 830 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee reviews data relating to Covid-19 vaccines on a rolling basis and makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. 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 read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.On 25 November, the EMA recommended granting an extension of indication for Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 5 to 11. The NIAC reviewed those findings and recommended that vaccination be extended to those aged 5 -11 years, those in this age group will be offered an mRNA vaccination to protect themselves from COVID-19. There are currently no vaccines authorised for use for those aged under 5 years old.
800. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding application submitted to his Department for the four remaining epilepsy nurse specialist posts agreed as part of the Valproate Response Project; when a decision can be expected on this funding application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra801. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a sodium valproate stakeholder group that was agreed in 2020 to assess and strengthen the current risk-reduction measures; the actions which have been taken to date to establish this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 800 and 801 together.
A decision on the funding application referred to by the Deputy will be known shortly; my Department will advise the HSE and relevant patient groups as soon as a decision is reached on the application.
Department officials have held discussions with the HSE and the Health Products Regulatory Authority regarding the establishment of a sodium valproate stakeholder group. The Department would hope to establish such a group within the next few months.
802. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGP out of hours cooperatives are private organisations. The HSE provides funding to co-operatives through service level agreements to support the provision of out of hour GP services.
If a patient is unhappy with the out of hours service received from a GP, that patient should in the first instance complain directly to the out of hours service. This can be done in person, in writing or by telephone. If the complaint cannot be resolved by the professional themselves or by their service, or where patients feel there has been professional misconduct, patients may avail of the procedures of the Irish Medical Council.
In the meantime, I have alerted the HSE to this matter for consideration and any necessary follow-up.
803. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations on the HPV vaccine of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37112/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage.
In October 2021, my Department asked the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
I can confirm that the NIAC has submitted its advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department. As part of its advices, the NIAC noted that HPV vaccination should be prioritised for unvaccinated second level students and females under the age of 25 years.
In line with that advice, I have asked the HSE to provide an opportunity for all boys and girls in secondary schools who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it, to now be offered the vaccine.
I have also asked the HSE to provide options on how best to introduce a catch-up programme for young women who have now left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when they were eligible.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
804. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a Parkinson’s nurse specialist will be assigned to the Westmeath area. [37113/22]
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.
805. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he has considered adding spinal muscular atrophy to the new-born heel prick test to allow for early diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot (NBS) Programme is a priority for me, and the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) has been progressing work on this expansion.
The NSAC is an independent, expert committee which makes recommendations to me and the Department on the introduction of new screening programmes or changes to existing programmes relating to a number of conditions such as cancer, non-cancer and newborn conditions, based on international processes and best practice.
The NSAC has been working closely with HIQA, clinicians and other stakeholders, including patient advocates, in setting out the best approach for Ireland in relation to the further expansion of newborn screening.
I am pleased to report recent progress in expanding newborn screening with a ninth condition, ADA-SCID (Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), being added to the NBS programme on 23 May 2022. The NSAC has commissioned HIQA to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) looking at the addition of other SCID types to the NBS programme. This HTA is underway and I am looking forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee on this condition after the HTA process is finalised later this year.
The NSAC is now well established and recently published its second annual report which detailed significant progress in 2021. The Committee's first Annual Call for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a significant response with a total of 53 submissions received, including on newborn screening. Submissions were received from various sources and are now undergoing consideration by the committee. The NSAC intends to publish its full work programme later this year once it has considered all proposals submitted.
Given that this is a complex area, careful consideration must be given to the expansion of the NBS programme and these things can take time, however, it is important that decisions are made based on internationally accepted criteria and scientific rigour.
I am aware of how difficult it is for parents whose children have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them, their families and their children. It can be an overwhelming situation and can be very isolating for many families because of the significant work that is involved when a rare disease is diagnosed. I am committed to the further expansion of newborn screening in Ireland and in identifying opportunities for future additions to it.
806. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment for a procedure in Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
807. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the health promotion activities that are planned in the context of the free contraception scheme to address myths and misinformation regarding different forms of contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. My Department's Contraception Implementation Group, convened in July, 2021, has been working with partners, including the HSE, towards ensuring that the scheme will commence in late August or early September 2022. Funding of approximately €9m has been allocated for this in Budget 2022.The scheme will be open to all 17-25 year-old women ordinarily resident in Ireland and will provide for:
- The cost of prescription contraception;
- The cost of necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception options with individual patients and to enable prescription of same;
- The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;
- The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
- The cost of providing the wide range of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders, which will also be available through this scheme, including contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
Formal consultations with medical representative bodies with regard to service provision under the scheme have commenced and are ongoing. The legal framework for the scheme will be provided by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 2022, which was passed by the Dáil on 6th July, 2022 and will be debated by Seanad Éireann on 12th July, 2022.
The design of citizen engagement information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme will be finalised in the coming weeks, by officials in the Department’s Press and Communications Team, the HSE’s Communications team and relevant subject matter experts. . This will build upon the information already available through HSE- led and HSE-funded websites which provide information about sexual heath and wellbeing, including www.sexualwellbeing.ie.
It should be noted that some access to free contraception is already enabled, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes. The service was extended to 3rd level institutions in late 2019. Third-level institutions can now order condom dispensers from the HSE, which enable the provision of free condoms and sexual health information to students on campuses nationwide.
While oral contraception and various forms of long-acting reversible contraception can be more effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms provide protection against STIs that is not provided by non-barrier forms of contraception.
It is envisaged that continued expansion of the NCDS will be facilitated in line with demand, in order to support the STI prevention and sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.
808. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on the 2021 abortion statistics for England and Wales which show that 206 women, girls and pregnant people gave Irish addresses when accessing abortion care; his views on the requirement for persons who travel abroad for essential healthcare if they fall outside the criteria set out in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpanded termination of pregnancy services commenced on 1st January 2019 and are provided through participating doctors and hospitals throughout the country. However, I am aware that statistics reported by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the UK showed that women with Irish addresses continued to access termination of pregnancy services in that jurisdiction in 2021.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 permits terminations to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of a pregnant woman; where there is a condition present likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
I wish to assure the Deputy that it is a priority for my Department that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is performing as it should be, to enable all women in Ireland to access services quickly and easily, without bias or judgment. There has been a substantial reduction in the number of people with Irish addresses availing of termination of pregnancy services in the UK since the enactment of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and the commencement of services.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to facilitate the operation of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
809. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by those who are waiting on ambulance services; the actions that his Department has taken to tackle these delays; the additional ambulances and plans to recruit more staff; and if he will consider dedicated ambulances to transport patients from hospitals to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment (details supplied). [37145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra818. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance callouts which are cancelled due to the fact that the person decided to make their own way to the hospital by month over the past two years. [37184/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 809 and 818 together.
Ambulance services across the country are experiencing a very high demand for 999 services for patients. Last year saw a record of over 366,000 emergency ambulance calls placed and to date this year the number of calls received is running at over 12% higher than at the same period last year.
This year, an unprecedented €200.7 million has been allocated in the National Ambulance Service, which includes €8.3 million in funding for new service developments. This funding is being invested in building capacity in frontline emergency services as well as increasing staffing within the Hear and Treat service in the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which advises lower acuity patients of appropriate alternatives to hospital transfer.
In regard to the Deputy's specific enquiries concerning patient transport I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly, as soon as possible.
810. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to improve training for and the retention of public health doctors in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/22]
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.
811. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his Department has allocated sufficient budgetary funding to ensure treatment for the 1,400 persons on the HSE orthodontic waiting list in the HSE Dublin north city and county CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/22]
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.
