Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1611. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an urgent surgery appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied) at Cappagh Hospital; and the status of this matter. [42398/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1611)
Freagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (1612)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1612. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a proposal for helping with accident and emergency departments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43599/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for his proposal. However I believe it is best to proceed with the provision of A&E care and community care as envisaged in Sláintecare. Our focus is on providing the best possible health and social care service for all in acute settings and expanding our services within the community.
Under the Slaintecare Contract, consultants will only be entitled to treat patients as public patients within the public health care system and will receive a set salary in respect of this work. The Contract will also support he delivery of care in the community. A&E consultants are currently employed as Type A (public only) consultants and provide required care irrespective of whether the patient is public or private.
The Government is committed to introducing the Sláintecare Contract as provided for in the Programme for Government. My Department is currently engaged in negotiations on the Contract with the representative bodies.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1613)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:1613. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42406/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1614)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:1614. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason that successful applicants to the panel for the recent recruitment by the HSE of counsellors and therapists for the provision of mental health counselling in primary care services were informed that due to a financial review the posts were no longer available; the reason that the same positions are now being advertised by a recruitment agency (details supplied) as temporary seasonal positions on a self-employed basis; his views on this case and on the outsourcing of employment contracts by the HSE in the context of the phasing in of the Sláintecare programme; and his views on whether this policy is compatible with that programme. [42407/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1615)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1615. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals operating the Da Vinci surgical system; if there are plans to expand the robotics programme in hospitals; if funding will be provided by his Department to implement same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1616)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1616. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); his plans to review the current staffing levels and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42422/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government values and appreciates people coming forward to report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate professional bodies and authorities. Where a resident or family has a concern with regard to a regulated health professional such as a nurse, doctor or therapist, a complaint can be brought to the relevant regulator.
HIQA is the national independent regulator of health and social care services and through its powers assesses whether services are providing high-quality, safe and effective services and supports. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. CCPC’s mission is to promote competition and enhance consumer welfare. The CCPC has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers.
The COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report, published in August 2020, provides a guiding framework for the ongoing pandemic response in nursing homes and also more broadly for a wide-ranging programme of improvement and reform for older persons. The report made a number of specific recommendations in relation to staffing in nursing homes. As part of this response, Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Long Term Residential Care Settings for Older Persons commenced.
In February 2021, I established a National Taskforce to oversee the development of Phase 3 of the Safe Staffing Framework. The core objective of this Taskforce is to develop an evidence-based framework to support the determination of safe nurse staffing and skill mix based on resident care needs.
This work follows the publication of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Ireland (Department of Health 2018) referred to as Phase 1 and more recently the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings in Ireland (Department of Health 2022), referred to as Phase 2. Phase 3 is a unique stage of the framework development as it is the first time it will span across public, private, and voluntary care settings.
Professor Jonathan Drennan, University College Cork is leading a research team which is analysing data from 9 pilot sites with the purpose of testing the capability of the Framework. This work will allow for evaluation of the impact of implementing a Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing in Long Term residential care settings on specific resident, staff and organisational outcomes.
Once sufficient research data has been collected and analysed, an evaluation report of the impact of implementing the Framework will be presented by the research team to the National Taskforce for its consideration. The recommendations of the Taskforce will be considered by the Department in due course.
More generally, the Fourth Progress Report on the Implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Recommendations was published on 21 June 2022. The report can be found on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c7f5b-covid-19-nursing-homes-expert-panel-report-implementation-oversight-team/
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1617)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:1617. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason that there is a €25 charge for medical card users to get their eyes tested in opticians owned by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sight testing, eye examinations and optical appliances are provided to medical card holders by ophthalmologists, optometrists and dispensing opticians through the Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS). The reimbursement of the cost of eye tests and glasses is administered by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service.
Eligible adults will normally be allowed an eye examination and spectacles once every two years if required. They will be supplied with one pair of reading and one pair of distance spectacles (if a separate prescription for distance and near vision is required) or one pair of bifocal spectacles once every two years from the date of initial approval.
More frequent examinations will only be considered by the approving officer where the application is accompanied by a note from the Medical Practitioner or optometrist. Sufficient detail must be provided, outlining a full description in each individual case. In the case of loss or damage, one additional pair may be provided in any 12-month period. Where a patient is examined and referred by the Optometrist to a contracted Ophthalmologist, both examinations are payable under the Scheme.
The Scheme is underpinned by patient choice of service provider. In all cases, patients must apply to their Local Health Office for authorisation for service from any Ophthalmologist/Optometrist/ Dispensing Optician contracted to the HSE.
There is no provision under the Scheme for the charging of additional fees to patients. Any inappropriate charges by contracted healthcare providers should be reported to the HSE for investigation.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1618)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a study can be carried out to investigate if St. Finian's Hospital, Killarney (details supplied) can be used for accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1619)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:1619. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department is planning to allow the drug saxenda to be covered under both the medical card and the drug payment scheme. [42428/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.
The HSE Drugs Group considers the NCPE assessment, the outputs from commercial engagements, patient interest group submissions, and any other pertinent information in advance of providing its recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT).
The application for reimbursement was for the following indication: as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² (obesity), or 27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea.
The Drugs Group has recommended Liraglutide (Saxenda) be reimbursed, subject to the development of a Managed Access Programme (MAP) by the HSE’s Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
MAPs are used to identify patients or subgroups of patients who would most benefit from the specific treatment approved for reimbursement and for whom the clinical evidence of therapeutic benefit is strongest. The MAP for Liraglutide (Saxenda) is currently under development. The Primary Care Reimbursement Service and the MMP are working with internal stakeholders with the view to having the finalised managed access programme (and supporting IT systems for same) in place by the end of Q4 2022.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1620)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1620. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the plans that his Department has put in place to lower the wait period of 58 weeks for audiology in the Kerry Community Services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1621)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:1621. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of a case regarding the 27 former employees of a nursing home (details supplied) who are eligible to receive the pandemic bonus payment but due to the closure of the nursing home have not received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the Deputy is aware, 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. As a process for rolling out of payments to the eligible workers in non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations has not yet begun, and eligibility has not yet been assessed across the private sector, I cannot comment on the individual case that the Deputy is referring to.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (1622)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for insulin pumps by hospital in tabular form; the number waiting for funding or waiting otherwise; the number under 18 and over 65 years; the number waiting by timeband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42448/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1623)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1623. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on diabetes-related waiting lists by community healthcare organisation, CHO, in tabular form; the number waiting for outpatient, inpatient, and day case appointments; the number on equipment or supplies waiting lists by list; the number of persons aged under 18 and over 65 years on each list; the number waiting by timeband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1624)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1624. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on diabetes-related waiting lists by hospital in tabular form; the number waiting for outpatient, inpatient, and day case appointments; the number on equipment or supplies waiting lists by list; the number of persons under 18 and over 65 years on each list; the number waiting by timeband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1625)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1625. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42459/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1626)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1626. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if treatment will be introduced in University Hospital Kerry to assist a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42460/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1627)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1627. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review the case of a person (details supplied) in order that urgent cataract surgery can be scheduled. [42463/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (1628, 1869, 2077)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1628. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the supports that are in place for persons trying to access IVF through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:1869. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the plans that his Department has to address the costs of IVF for individuals and couples trying to conceive. [43394/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Holly Cairns
Ceist:2077. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date that he is working towards for the introduction of publicly-funded IVF and associated treatments. [44311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1628, 1869 and 2077 together.
The Government is committed to introducing a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment as provided in the Programme for Government.
The model of care for infertility was developed by my Department in conjunction with the HSE in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out is envisaged before the end of this year.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Substantial planning, development and policy work has been required in respect of Part Two of the roll-out and, at this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the model of care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications needs to be completed.
This work will also need to be informed by the final Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act, the progress of this Bill – which has passed Second Stage in the Dáil – and associated regulations that will be developed following the enactment of this legislation. My officials are continuing engagement with the HSE in relation to the necessary programmes of work required to further advance consideration of the issues arising for commencing Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care. As precursors to the development of this final part of the model of care, the priority has been to establish the necessary services at secondary level and to develop a regulatory framework, both of which are progressing well.
While advanced AHR treatment, such as IVF, is not currently funded by the Irish public health service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. Given the costs associated with certain fertility medicines, I understand that these schemes can have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of them.
In addition, there is other support available in that patients who access IVF, or other advanced AHR treatment, privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.
Nevertheless, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the model of care for infertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1629)
John Lahart
Ceist:1629. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when a social care worker who works in a care home in Templeogue will receive the €1,000 Covid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the Deputy is aware, 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
While the department cannot comment on individual cases, 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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1630)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1630. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the non-invasive prenatal test available free of charge to all pregnant women such as in other countries for example the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.