Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1995. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has divested a building to the local authority (details supplied). [44000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1995)
Freagraí 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 the Deputy in relation to this matter.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1996)
David Stanton
Ceist:1996. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the current situation with respect to the processing of the pandemic bonus payment for eligible staff of non-HSE and non-section 38 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44007/22]
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.
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 02 Sept, 85,012 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 36,475 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 121,487.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition 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; and
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. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
As the rollout 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 provide an estimated number of workers who will receive the payment.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision 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, but this work is being given priority attention.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (1997)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1997. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the steps that persons should take in cases in which they cannot get a general practitioner service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1998)
Richard O'Donoghue
Ceist:1998. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of front-line line workers in each county who have received the pandemic payment; and the number of workers still to receive the payment, in tabular form. [44026/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (1999)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:1999. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when front-line staff who to date have not received a pandemic payment will receive such payment; the number of eligible staff who still await payment under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44031/22]
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.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition 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; and
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.
Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter. At this point in time an estimate of eligible numbers in the many organisations covered is not yet available; this information will become clearer as the process progresses and data is gathered.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (2000)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:2000. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen for cataract surgery. [44042/22]
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (2001)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2001. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the health technology assessment of evusheld; the estimated timeframe for the full technology assessment to be completed; if the Health Technology Assessment, HTA, dossier required by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics has been submitted by the relevant company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44060/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (2002)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2002. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if immunocompromised patients can access evusheld in another European Union country under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (2003)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2003. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason that a HSE representative attended the official opening of a hospital clinic in Benidorm, Spain, in July 2022; the cost of this visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44062/22]
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
Ceisteanna (2004, 2005)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2004. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total number of monkeypox vaccine doses that have been ordered to date; the number that have been delivered; the schedule for delivery of the remaining; the number that have been used to treat monkeypox patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:2005. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that he expects to vaccinate against monkeypox by the end of 2022, given that the vaccine can now be administered intradermally; if the eligibility criteria for vaccination will be updated in view of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2004 and 2005 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 2005 answered with Question No. 2004.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (2006)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2006. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the establishment of an Irish gender identity health service for children and young persons; the number of posts that will allocated to this service, by role; the status of the recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The report of the steering committee on the development of HSE transgender services was published in 2020. The report acknowledged the additional funding made available to develop services in recent years. It advised on the development of seamless interfaces between agencies providing gender services and developed a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry to lead on the development of a services for those aged under 18 years. Subsequently, this position was advertised twice but has not yet been filled.
Minister Donnelly and Minister Butler recently held a constructive meeting with a number of clinicians from the National Gender Service. They intend to meet with the HSE and other stakeholders to hear their views and proposals.
Minister Donnelly, Minister Butler and I are committed to working with the HSE to provide a gender identify service that meets the health needs of children and young people.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (2007)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2007. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if any HSE sexual health clinics have had to close or temporarily suspend their services since January 2022; if so, if he will list the clinics; the reason for the closure or temporary suspension of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44066/22]
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 (2008)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2008. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in each HSE sexual health clinic, by speciality and year, since 2015, in tabular form; and the number of vacant posts in each clinic. [44067/22]
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
Ceisteanna (2009)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2009. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address the lack of availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis appointments in public PrEP services; the reason for these capacity issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44068/22]
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 (2010)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2010. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the Medical Council’s medical workforce intelligence report; his views on same; if he intends to establish a taskforce to explore and plan the doctor workforce strategy; the steps that he is taking to address workforce issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44069/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Health welcomed the publication by the Medical Council of its 2021 Workforce Intelligence Report. The State, in delegating authority to the Medical Council to regulate doctors in Ireland is uniquely aware of the value of the data available to the Council through its registration systems. The Minister and his Department share the concerns raised in the report and are acutely aware of the myriad of complex issues that are at play, including attrition resulting from lack of access to training, the growth of the General Division and an over reliance on Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors.
In recent times, the Department has embarked on a broad programme of legislative reform, which includes addressing certain registration and access issues identified by the Medical Council and has worked in partnership with the Council to deliver these reforms. The Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, for example, removed the legislative barrier which prevented doctors who trained outside the EEA from applying for specialist training in Ireland. This has been a welcome and positive development which recognises that the Irish Health Service is supported by highly skilled and caring doctors from across the world. The Department will continue to drive regulatory and legislative change to address issues identified by the Medical Council.
The Deputy will be pleased to hear that I am establishing a National Taskforce on the NCHD Workforce, to put in place sustainable workforce planning strategies and policies to support the present and future NCHD workforce in Ireland. NCHDs are a critical part of our health service. The National Taskforce will seek to improve the NCHD experience/work-life balance through the development and implementation of improved NCHD structures and supports in hospital sites. It will seek to develop and foster a culture of education and training at clinical site level and plan for future configuration of the medical workforce to support delivery of healthcare in Ireland.
The Department will work closely with key stakeholders, including the Medical Council, to successfully support the NCHD workforce and to inform medical workforce planning into the future. The findings of the Medical Council’s Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2021 will from an important part of this work.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (2011)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2011. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet long Covid patient groups and an individual (details supplied) regarding the long Covid clinic in the Mater Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that I have also received a request to meet with the person in question and have responded directly on the matter. I also understand from the HSE that they are engaging with patient groups regarding Long COVID service development, including Long COVID Ireland.
The HSE has developed an interim Model of Care for Long COVID which aims to build on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. There is currently a phased implementation of the service with a focus on establishing, Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics within each Hospital Group as a priority to ensure a national service.
As this is an interim Model, the approach to implementation will be agile and flexible, as there may be a need to change and adapt services based on learnings from clinics, new and emerging evidence and current and future demand for service.
My Department and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research, and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to ensure care is in place for all who need it.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (2012)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2012. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he expects to finalise the funding available for long Covid clinics in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44071/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With funding allocated in 2022, the HSE is currently implementing an interim Model of Care for Long COVID which aims to build on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. A phased implementation is underway with a focus on establishing Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics within each Hospital Group to ensure a national service.
The HSE's funding for 2023 will be allocated through the normal estimates, budgetary and service planning processes over the coming period. Proposals in relation to Long COVID clinics and funding available for these clinics will be determined within this wider process.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (2013, 2044)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2013. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to provide funding for the long Covid clinic in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, to continue its work, following receipt of a business case in July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Brendan Smith
Ceist:2044. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided to ensure that a health service continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44153/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2013 and 2044 together. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (2014)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2014. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on project six of the Sláintecare Action Plan 2022, implementing the eHealth programme; the status of quarterly deliverables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Implementing the eHealth programme under Sláintecare is long term programme of work and the HSE has operational responsibility for the implementation of eHealth initiatives across the public health service.
A number of important milestones were reached in the first 7 months of 2022 in relation to delivering the eHealth programme under Sláintecare. The ePharmacy programme, an important element of the overall eHealth programme, reached an important milestone with the establishment of the clinical leads and associated programme governance groups. Programme boards for important projects within the ePharmacy programme, such as ePrescribing for the community, development of the National Medicinal Product Catalogue to provide a standard coding system for meds and instructions, and the replacement of hospital pharmacy systems, are all now in place with business cases and funding at various stages of approval.
A Government Memo seeking approval to prepare General Scheme of a Health Information Bill was approved in April and a General Scheme for a Health Information Bill is being prepared.
Formal market soundings, to identify a system suitable for the management of patients in the community healthcare settings was completed in May. This system will enable healthcare professionals and staff working outside of the acute healthcare setting to share health information about their patients with others who are also responsible for caring for those patients. It is also an essential building block towards delivering more integrated care as ultimately data will be able to follow the patient as they transition between healthcare settings.
Since the cyberattack in May 2021, the HSE have made significant changes and taken key steps to implement tactical recommendations to increase cyber resilience. Globally, cyberattacks have increases in frequency since the pandemic so a sustained commitment to investment for cyber resilience is required.
Following an extensive and open procurement process, in July of this year a Government decision was made to contract for an enterprise level Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for the New Children’s Hospital was approved and contracts were subsequently signed with EPIC.