Written Answers Nos. 751-770
751. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a patient referred for oncology care in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
752. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that are currently waiting for ERCP throughout the HSE system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50229/22]
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.
753. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the length of time a patient has to wait for a procedure before being included in the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund works with public hospitals to offer and provide funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients on an inpatient or day case waiting list.
The clinical suitability of a patient to avail of NTPF funded surgery or procedures is determined by the public hospital where the patient is on an Inpatient or Daycase waiting list.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that while the NTPF this year will seek to arrange over 150 different types of procedures in public and private hospitals, covering the full range of complexity on the waiting lists, there will be a particular focus on 15 procedures which, prior to NTPF engagement, accounted for more than 50% of the inpatient/day case waiting list. For the following high volume procedures the NTPF will offer treatment for all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months:
- Cataracts
– Cystoscopies
– Hip replacements
– Knee replacements
– Skin lesions (General Surgery and Plastic Surgery)
– Varicose Veins
– Angiograms
– Tonsillectomies
– Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
– Septoplasties
– Dental
– Hysteroscopy
– Laparoscopy (Gynaecology)
– Total abdominal Hysterectomy
– Inguinal Hernia Repair.
754. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of appointment and procedure types included in the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that the NTPF funds treatments for long waiting patients on hospital waiting lists (Inpatient and day cases, G.I. Scopes, Outpatients) and diagnostics.
The NTPF has provided the attached list which outlines the main procedures and appointments which are outsourced.
Please see below list of main outsourcing procedures.
Ablation for SVT/Flutter/WPW; Comprehensive EPS with atrial ablation, single focus; includes electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters with induction or attempted induction of an arrhythmia with right atrial pacing and recording, right ventriculuar pacing and recording (when necessary) with intracardiac catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus, with treatment of supraventricular tachycardia by ablation of fast or slow atrioventricular pathway, accessory atrioventricular connection, cavotricuspid isthmus or other single atrial focus or source of atrial reentry.
Angiogram/Coronary Angiography
Cardiac electrophysiological study
Cardioversion
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by Transcatheter Placement of a Drug Eluting Stent more than one vessel
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by Transcatheter Placement of a Drug Eluting Stent single vessel
Bilateral Pinnaplasty/ Pinna, partial excision with flap reconstruction/Otoplasty
Ethmoidectomy
Frontal sinusectomy (also known as FESS)
Laryngoscopy
Laryngoscopy, direct, operative with biopsy
Mastoidectomy
Myringotomy, with or without grommets, bilateral
Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral
Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical with frontal sinus exploration, with or without removal of tissue from frontal sinus, including ethmoidectomy and/or nasal sinus endoscopy
Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical, with antrostomy, bilateral
Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical, with antrostomy, unilateral
Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with control of nasal haemorrhage
Nasal/Sinus endoscopy, surgical; with biopsy, polypectomy or removal of diseased mucosa, lesions or debridement (I.P.)
Septoplasty
Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy
Tympanoplasty
Anal Canal EUA
Bilateral inguinal hernia repair
Excision of lesion or lesions of skin - general surgery
Haemorrhoidectomy
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Removal of toenail
Repair of incisional hernia, unilateral
Repair of umbilical hernia, unilateral
Wedge resection of ingrown toenail
Hysteroscopy +/- dilation and cutterage
Laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, complete or partial, unilateral or bilateral
Laparoscopy
Repair of pelvic floor prolapse to include cystocele and/or rectocele repair
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Total Vaginal Hysterectomy
Surgical Removal of 2 or more Teeth
Surgical Removal of a Tooth or Tooth Fragment
Blepharostomy
Cataracts
Correction or Repair of ectropion
Correction or Repair of entropion
Dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR]
Excision of ophthalmology lesions one or both eyelids - chalazions, papillomas, dermoids or other cysts or lesions
Excision of pterygium
Excision of pterygium and conjunctival graft
Strabismus procedure involving 1 or 2 muscles
Administration of agent into joint or other synovial cavity, not elsewhere classified
Administration of agent into soft tissue, not elsewhere classified
Anterior spinal fusion, 1 level
Anterior spinal fusion, 2 or more levels
Arthroscopic reconstruction of cruciate ligament of knee with repair of meniscus
Arthroscopy of hip
Arthroscopy of knee
Arthroscopy of shoulder
Cervical discectomy, 1 level
Cervical discectomy, 2 or more levels
Correction of hallux valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal, unilateral
Correction of hammer toe
Decompression of lumbar spinal canal >= 2 levels
Decompression of lumbar spinal canal 1 level
Discectomy for recurrent disc lesion, 1 level
Discectomy, 2 or more levels
Epidural infusion of other or combined therapeutic substance(s)
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 2 digits (rays)
Posterior spinal fusion, 3 or more levels
Posterolateral spinal fusion, 1 or 2 levels
Reconstruction of cruciate ligament of knee with repair of meniscus
Release of carpal tunnel - Orthopaedics
Removal of pin/screw/wire/plate
Removal of pin/screw/wire/plate
Total arthroplasty of hip, unilateral
Total arthroplasty of knee, unilateral
Bilateral Pinnaplasty/ Pinna, partial excision with flap reconstruction/Otoplasty
Excision of lesion or lesions of skin - plastic surgery
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving >= 3 digits (rays)
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 1 digit (ray)
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture involving 2 digits (rays)
Release of carpal tunnel - Plastic surgery
Colonoscopy
Endoscopy / Gastroscopy (OGD)
Left Colonoscopy
Proctoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy
Circumcision
Cystoscopy
Excision of hydrocele
TURP
Ureteroscopy or urethroscopy
Ureteroscopy or urethroscopy
Urine flow study
Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins (laser)
Interruption of multiple tributaries of varicose veins
Interruption of sapheno-femoral junction varicose veins (surgical)
Interruption of multiple tributaries of varicose veins
For Outpatients there is a particular focus on the following high volume specialties:
Gynaecology
Orthopaedics
Urology
ENT
Cardiology
Ophthalmology and
Vascular Surgery
Pain
Plastic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery - Spinal
755. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have had their procedures carried out through the NTPF scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that the number of patient care episodes carried out for Inpatient and day cases, G.I. Scopes, Outpatients and diagnostics funded by the NTPF in 2021 was 133,661.
756. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to an interdepartmental working group involving the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and his Department to examine the issue of funding for the training of psychologists, particularly educational and child psychologists; his views on the inequity of funding for the training of educational child psychologists, relative to clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists and the funding available in respect of training of the latter, as opposed to trainee educational and child psychologists; his views on staff shortages in the area of CAMHS; the way in which this inequity of funding is contributing to this recruitment challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023. In addition, the Department of Health has been advised by the Department of Education that the Minister for Education and her Department very much value the work of all educational psychologists across the education system. I understand they are working proactively and intensively to find a positive resolution for the issue of fees for trainee educational psychologists.
The Department of Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and other Government Departments as required on the issue of workforce planning for health and social care professionals, including on future planning in terms of psychology education, training, and placement. This approach will support the implementation of Sharing the Vision.
757. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an outpatient appointment at the orthopaedic clinic in Cavan and Monaghan Hospital given the discomfort that they are currently experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50255/22]
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.
758. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the current average wait time for a chest x-ray in Nenagh General Hospital, from the point of referral until the x-ray is carried out; the reason that the time that a patient is expected to wait following referral has apparently increased from two to eight weeks; the way in which he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50259/22]
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.
759. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider offering adult medical card holders the option to be assessed and treated by community audiologists who already provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection's treatment benefit scheme given that 34,000 children were waiting more than one year to access community health services, including ophthalmology and audiology, which could free up 12,500 treatment pathways per annum for children and adults with other forms of hearing loss who require the more specialised services of a HSE clinic or hospital audiology service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50263/22]
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.
760. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will establish an independent review to examine issues of recruitment and retention of radiation therapists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been agreed under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
761. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason that educational and child psychology doctoral students, were not included in the €700,000 investment in psychology training announced as part of Budget 2023, considering that the majority of graduates go on to work in HSE settings including CAMHS, CDNTs and primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50268/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023. In addition, the Department of Health has been advised by the Department of Education that the Minister for Education and her Department very much value the work of all educational psychologists across the education system. I understand they are working proactively and intensively to find a positive resolution for the issue of fees for trainee educational psychologists.
The Department of Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and other Government Departments as required on the issue of workforce planning for health and social care professionals, including on future planning in terms of psychology education, training, and placement. This approach will support the implementation of Sharing the Vision.
In terms of the issues raised by the Deputy, it should be noted that there is no specific professional grade of ‘child psychologist’ within the HSE. Only three types of psychologists are recognised by the HSE, namely Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist and Educational Psychologist.
762. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will put adequate staffing and contingency plans in place to ensure that there is no recurrence of the closure of the Ennis injury unit (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/22]
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.
763. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time National Ambulance Service staff based in County Wexford in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/22]
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.
764. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time theatre nurses working in Wexford General Hospital in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if the current staff number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
765. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons approved for homecare supports in County Wexford who are currently waiting on delivery of support hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
766. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on waiting times for assessments of children with autism in Dún Laoghaire; the number of children waiting for such an assessment; the number of assessments conducted and completed in each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50033/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
767. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for thalidomide survivor’s health care needs; the engagements that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since he last met it in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with members of the Irish Thalidomide Association in February last and assured them of the Government’s commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs. Following that meeting, the designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs, commenced a process to develop recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for survivor’s health care needs now and into the future. The recommendations will also inform the work already underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on a statutory footing as committed to by the Government.
Following a Government decision in 1975, Irish survivors of thalidomide have been in receipt of monthly payments for life from the Irish State. The range of supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor also include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means, which includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations.
The German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013 it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.
768. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2069 of 8 September 2022, if he will undertake to review the guidelines for the sale of codeine products to protect public health given the widespread abuse of the sale of codeine product guidelines depicted on a television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to working with relevant stakeholders in fully considering any policy changes that may be required regarding the guidelines and regulations for the sale of codeine containing medicinal products.
Any potential changes must be supported by sufficient evidence. The evolving evidence is being actively monitored by my Department and its agencies who will consider taking any necessary further steps to support the safe and effective use of these medicines.
769. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities [50343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEncouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health and for the HSE. National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Breast-Feeding Co-ordinator, who has responsibility for the implementation of the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021.
Implementation of Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan includes initiatives in the following areas:
- improve governance and health service structures;
- develop new breastfeeding training programmes;
- develop evidence-based policies and practices;
- communicate the importance of breastfeeding through social marketing, support and advocacy and;
- monitor and evaluate breastfeeding services.
The National Breastfeeding Implementation Group is partnering with key divisions to provide the supports that mothers require at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum.
In terms of supports for public service staff wishing to breastfeed following their return to work after maternity leave, a new Breastfeeding Policy for Staff working in the Public Health Service came into effect in February 2021.
The policy supports staff to continue to breastfeed on return to work following maternity leave. This policy is being implemented on a cost neutral basis and will allow employees to take 1-hour paid breastfeeding breaks up until their child’s second birthday, in line with WHO/DOH Infant Feeding recommendations.
The Department of Health operates a breastfeeding supportive workplace policy in compliance with Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004. In line with this, the Department has one designated private room on its premises in Miesian Plaza, which provides appropriate comfortable seating, storage, refrigeration, washing and other facilities for those employees who are breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk. Employees who wish to use the room for this purpose are provided with secure and private access to use the facility as and when required.
With respect to the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. I am engaging with the other Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department on this matter and will revert to the Deputy by separate letter once their responses are collated.
770. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if any of the 12 newly established CDNTs for the Dublin north city and county service serve the areas of Drumcondra, Phibsboro, South Glasnevin, Smithfield and the Quays area of the north inner city. [50374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra771. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to set up CDNTs for the Dublin north city and county areas, to provide services to children with complex additional needs and their families; and the timelines that are in place for same. [50375/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra772. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if children and their families in areas in Dublin north city and county are receiving any services at present; and if so, the service providers from which they receive same. [50377/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 770, 771 and 772 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
