Written Answers Nos. 1752-1771
1752. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of adults awaiting audiology appointments in counties Laois and Offaly; the length of time they have been waiting; the steps that are being taken by his Department to address the waiting lists for adult audiology services in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42930/22]
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.
1753. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department is considering providing core funding for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42931/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1754. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting for two years for a Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service assessment in Limerick following referral by their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42932/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1755. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to in reduce waiting times in the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service service in each of the CHO areas; if new approaches are deemed necessary; the progress that has been made to date in the audit of CAMHS following the Maskey Report, the progress of the review being undertaken by the Mental Health Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1756. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list for prophylactic breast removal by each waiting time period in each hospital, in tabular form. [42934/22]
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.
1757. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list to access reconstructive surgery as a result of having undergone prophylactic breast removal surgery by each waiting time period in each hospital, in tabular form. [42935/22]
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.
1758. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list for prophylactic ovary removal by each waiting time period in each hospital, in tabular form. [42936/22]
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.
1759. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the volume of prophylactic breast removal surgeries within the recommended timeframe as an absolute number and as a proportion of total prophylactic breast removal surgeries in each of the years 2010 to 2021, in tabular form. [42937/22]
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.
1760. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the volume of prophylactic ovary removal surgeries within the recommended timeframe as an absolute number and as a proportion of total prophylactic ovary removal surgeries in each of the years 2010 to 2021, in tabular form. [42938/22]
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.
1761. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment to the list of six non-HSE/non-section 38 organisation types covered by the Government decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42942/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recogition Payment 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:
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;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
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.
1762. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on ringfencing some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE Medicines Management Programme of preferred preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42945/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1763. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who was on the public waiting list at University Hospital Limerick and was transferred by the HSE, to a private waiting list for the Bon Secours Hospital, Limerick for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42949/22]
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.
1764. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a frontline worker (details supplied) who is employed by an agency will receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1765. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a frontline worker (details supplied) who is employed by an agency will receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1766. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a frontline worker (details supplied) who is employed by an agency will receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1764 to 1766, inclusive, together.
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise 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.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department have been 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:
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;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
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.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1767. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the contraception service which will be made freely available to women aged 17 to 25 years by end of August 2022, is made available through telehealth providers rather than by asking women to attend physical general practitioner clinics to access the scheme; and if he will meet with the relevant parties to discuss the matter. [42960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. My Department has been working with partners, including the HSE, towards ensuring that the scheme will commence in 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 consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same. Consultations will include both initial discussions of suitable contraception for each patient, and necessary check-ups to provide repeat prescriptions;
- 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 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.
- The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
The legal framework for the scheme is provided by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 2022, which was enacted in July, 2022. It is envisaged that the Act will be commenced, and the scheme launched, once the Regulations setting the terms and conditions relating to the provision of services and fees, etc., are expected to be enacted later this week. It is envisaged that the scheme will go live next week (the week commencing 12 September 2022).
The Department of Health and the HSE are working with service providers in term of preparations for scheme commencement. It is typically the case that formal agreement with the main medical and pharmacy representative organisations is reached regarding the detail of service provision, prior to engagement with other smaller providers.
I can confirm that officials in the Department have contacted smaller specialist service providers, with a view to discussing possible engagement with the scheme and to discuss any issues they may wish to raise.
With specific regard to telemedicine, it will be necessary to have the provision of prescription contraception in this manner reviewed by clinical experts, prior to inclusion in the scheme. Advice from the relevant clinical experts has been sought in this regard. If the clinical advice is that it is appropriate in terms of patient safety, etc., for prescriptions for oral contraceptives to be issued through online consultations under a State sponsored scheme (i.e. without the ability to carry out physical checks using calibrated equipment, etc.), amendments will be required to the Regulations that will lay out the terms and conditions of scheme participation for providers, following negotiations with providers to agree these.
Completing these requirements may take a little additional time; therefore it may not be possible to include such providers in the scheme from the outset. However, their inclusion is being actively worked on and we are hoping to include these options as soon as the appropriate clinical and regulatory processes have been completed.
The design of citizen engagement information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme is currently being finalised by officials in the Department’s Press and Communications Team, the HSE’s Communications team and relevant subject matter experts in the Department and HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
The campaign will target 17-25 year olds with a broader reach to all adults through an extensive media engagement and outreach programme on broadcast and video on demand services; digital out of home advertising in a variety of locations including third level institutes, retail settings etc; targeted and an organic social media campaign. Digital information regarding the scheme and how to access it will be available through www.sexualwellbeing.ie shortly and contraceptive choices materials will be placed in GP surgeries from later in September.
1768. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if the Covid recognition payment will be approved for a person (details supplied). [42974/22]
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 cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise 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.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department have been 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:
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;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
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.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1769. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to be seen by child and adolescent mental health services by CHO and LHO in tabular form; and the length of time that persons are waiting to be seen. [42977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1770. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the geographic locations of the SouthDoc facilities in County Cork; if he has had any engagement on those specific locations regarding their future; if he will publish the dates and attendees of any meetings that he or his officials have had regarding SouthDoc services in Cork; and if the lease terms at each geographic location are known. [42978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo ensure the provision of the supports needed for out of hour GP services in local communities, the HSE remains in regular contact with out of hours service providers. According to a formal engagement process, the HSE engages with SouthDoc a minimum of four times per year where HSE and Southdoc staff and board members engage on any operational elements that arise. They also engage between formal meetings as the need arises.
SouthDoc has facilities in County Cork in: Kanturk, Mallow, Fermoy, Bandon, Bantry, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Cork City, Midleton and Macroom. The HSE have advised that there has been no discussions regarding future changes to these facilities.
Please be advised that I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in regard to the dates of meetings and treatment centre lease terms, as soon as possible.
1771. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the length of time that a person (details supplied) will be waiting for surgery; if an appointment for same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42979/22]
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.
