Written Answers Nos. 811-830
811. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the timeline on the payment of the €1,000 pandemic payment to eligible healthcare workers who are not employees of the HSE; the total number of workers involved; the reason for the delay in the processing of payments; if he will commit to ensuring that all eligible workers will receive payment before Christmas, 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
It is hoped that 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. 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.
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.
812. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 11 May 2022, if he will outline the steps that have been taken to date by the HSE to capture the scale of the incidence of long Covid; if he will outline the demand and activity levels at each post covid and long covid clinic; the corresponding waiting list at each clinic; the number of patients attending each clinic monthly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly
813. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total drawdown of funding to date in 2022 for the long and post-Covid interim model of care; the estimated drawdown by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51848/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra814. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 654 of 31 May, 2022, the funding provided by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department towards research into treatments for long Covid; if he will list the publications to date on foot of the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51849/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 813 and 814 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly
815. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 31 March 2022, the status of plans to introduce a no-fault vaccination compensation scheme for severe adverse reactions to State-promoted vaccination programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that in June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation.
While some preliminary scoping work has been undertaken by the Department, during the pandemic all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the Public Health response. This has meant that progress on the development of policy in this area could not be progressed as intended.
There is still significant work required to develop proposals for consideration by Government regarding vaccine damage compensation. As part of that work, it is anticipated that consideration will also be given to the inclusion of claims relating to alleged adverse reactions from COVID Vaccines.
816. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of GP services that are available, by head of population, in counties Cavan and Monaghan between Monday and Friday, between 9am to 5pm; the way the catchment system for GP clinics is worked out (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as the GMS contract for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card patients. As GPs are self-employed they may establish practices at a place of their own choosing.
Medical card and GP visit card holders that experience difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, 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 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. It is expected that clinicians consider the importance of patients having access to a GP service close to home when deciding whether or not to accept private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas. It has implemented a number of measures and increased investment in general practice significantly to improve recruitment and retention. The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022, and following the transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026. These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
In relation to the number of HSE contracted GPs in counties Cavan and Monaghan, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
817. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in CHO7 waiting for a HSE approved shower chair; and the average waiting time for same. [51862/22]
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.
818. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the locations nationwide in which hearing aids and related items can be repaired. [51863/22]
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.
819. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant cardiologists at Naas General Hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51864/22]
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.
820. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason that "exclusion zones", as referred to in commitment in the Programme for Government, are now being referred to as "safe access zones" in the general scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2022; the reason that this change of language was necessary; if the proposed change of language was suggested to his Department by any statutory body, non-governmental organisation or campaign group; if so, the name of that organisation; the reason for the substantive difference between an "exclusion zone" and a "safe access zone"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety, and with privacy and dignity.
Safe Access Zones Legislation has been prioritised in the Government’s Autumn Legislative Programme, and officials in my Department, are engaging intensively with the Office of the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders to progress this legislation as expeditiously as possible.
Various terminology has been used interchangeably in respect of the concept of safe access zones. The terminology adopted for this legislation represents the most commonly understood. The draft legislation defines safe access zones and associated prohibited conduct and these aspects of the legislation outline the meaning and purpose of same.
821. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions carried out by general practitioners for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51872/22]
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.
822. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions carried out in hospitals under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy's question relates to a service matter, we have referred it to the HSE for answer.
823. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if persons on public health waiting lists are impacted by refusing the option of taking care through the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if their position on the public health list is affected in any way. [51880/22]
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.
824. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department officials are in discussions with any particular provider about an elective hospital being built in Limerick city or county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51887/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra825. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a site for an elective hospital in Limerick is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 825 together.
In December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. The Government decision is very clear on this. No other locations are under active consideration at this time as these are our immediate priorities.
It is important to note that the locations chosen will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to implement a national elective care programme that will tackle waiting lists on a national basis. This means that the new facilities will be designed to maximise their capacity and in doing so will operate to cover as wide a catchment area as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas including the mid-west.
The locations were also chosen in line with good practice which suggests that, in order to maximise economies of scale, dedicated, standalone elective centres should be “as big as is reasonably possible” to meet identified demand while providing appropriate population coverage. Locating the new facilities in Cork, Dublin and Galway will enable the provision of a national service while aiming to maximise the coverage of the ECCs as far as is reasonably possible. A central point of introducing these new facilities is not that they will only benefit the subset of the population that sit within their direct catchment but rather that the introduction of this new delivery capability into the Public Healthcare System will benefit the whole population, including those who do not fall within the immediate geographical catchment. It is envisaged that the Cork and Galway facilities combined will cater for up to 350,000 patients/procedures annually.
Limerick City Council and members of the Limerick 2030 plan have engaged with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) on developing lands in a Limerick regeneration area. This includes plans for Limerick social housing. Limerick City Council sought UL Hospitals to meet with UPMC to outline the specific health needs of the Mid-Western region which informed UPMC’s plans to build a 150-bed hospital, providing capital funding. They proposed the model of a Section 38 Hospital jointly run by UPMC and UL Hospitals Group. Such decisions are beyond the scope of UL Hospitals, they require government approval and thereafter sanction from the HSE. We understand that UPMC have engaged local and national political representatives on this proposal, as well as St. John’s Hospital and UL Hospitals Group.
826. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he or his officials on his behalf, have met with an organisation (details supplied) recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51889/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not met with UPMC. Officials in my Department have met with UPMC on a number of occasions over the last two years, to discuss operational matters associated with the Covid Safety Arrangement and to discuss possible arrangements in relation to UPMC’s assistance with the provision of capacity and activity in relation to Waiting List reduction.
827. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the details of any agreement that the HSE has with private providers in Limerick to treat patients off waiting lists. [51890/22]
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.
828. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of patients from Limerick who have been treated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
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 clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
The NTPF has advised that, there were 20,498 NTPF funded patient episodes carried out for patients from the following public hospitals in Limerick: University Hospital Limerick, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and St. Johns Hospital, for the period January 2021 to August 2022.The patient episodes covered Inpatient/Day Case, G.I. Scopes, Outpatients, Diagnostics and other supports.
829. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant consultant posts in University Hospital Limerick; the specialities they are in; the number recruited over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51892/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
830. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason that there is no nursing representative on the strategic advisory group on monkeypox; if there are plans to amend the membership of this group to include nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51902/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategic Advisory Group on Monkeypox, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, advises the Department of Health and the Government on how best to respond to the outbreak. It reviews evidence and advises as appropriate on monkeypox surveillance and management at a national level; development and implementation of a strategy to control monkeypox; and provides oversight and assurance of the national response.
The Group’s membership includes experts from multiple disciplines including public health, infectious diseases and immunology fields. It builds on the significant work already undertaken by the HSE and the ongoing work of the HSE’s National Crisis Management Team. Membership of the Group is kept under review to ensure representation at a point in time is reflective of the work underway.
