Written Answers Nos. 81-100
82. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planned Ballyhaunis primary care centre which had a scheduled operational date of Q4 in 2021, but which continues to be on hold as of 12 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first” approach.
Primary Care Centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of these centres nationally, with 160 opened to date and more planned.
However, in respect of Ballyhaunis, the HSE has advised that, due to several factors, construction progress has been delayed. That said, the HSE has advised that it is the developer’s intention that works will recommence on the project as soon as possible and that, to this end, the HSE remains in continuing dialogue with the landlord.
I have asked my Department to impress on the HSE the importance of working with the developer to progress construction as a matter of urgency and the HSE has formally requested a planned recommencement date and programme of works to completion.
I understand that this delay is frustrating for the people of Ballyhaunis and its surrounding area. However, I wish to reiterate that both I and the HSE remain committed to the delivery of a Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis as quickly as possible. In the interim, I wish to assure you that the people of Ballyhaunis can access a suite of primary care services in nearby Claremorris and Castlebar.
85. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the finalisation of a terms of reference and the appointment of an independent chair to commence a review of the radiation therapy service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed between the HSE, Department of Health and SIPTU, under the auspices of the WRC.
Cancer cases are increasing in line with our ageing and growing population. The National Cancer Control Programme estimates that up to 60% of patients will require radiation oncology for primary treatment and palliative care in coming years.
Radiation Therapists are highly skilled professionals regulated by CORU. The Review will align with the National Cancer Strategy, taking account of the increasing demand for radiation oncology, the advances in technology, increased specialisation and more targeted treatment. The review will consider issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies.
A Chair for the Review has been identified and agreed between the parties. An initial meeting has been scheduled to start the review process in early November, based on the availability of all parties.
All outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health. Implementation of any recommendations from the review are subject to approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform.
In recognition of the role played by Health and Social Care Professionals in our healthcare system, my Department will shortly advertise for a HSCP lead.
87. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount that it will cost the Exchequer to bring the pay of workers in Section 39 organisations in line with public service pay agreements Building Momentum and its potential successor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations play in our health sector, particularly in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
In 2019, a data-gathering exercise was conducted among 50 pilot Section 39 organisations, based on a WRC agreement. This informed a process of pay restoration for 300 of the largest Section 39 organisations, including the 50 engaged in the pilot. Eligibility for pay restoration was based on certain criteria, including those who received over €250k from the HSE through a Service Level Agreement. A total of €39.16m has been provided for Pay Restoration to date, with a final €4.75m due to be paid in 2023.
As colleagues will be aware, Section 39 organisations are independently owned and run. As a result, data on the exact number of Section 39 staff employed and their salary level is unavailable. I cannot, therefore, provide the deputy with an estimated cost relating to pay increases within Section 39 organisations. However, as there are 1,476 Section 39 organisations currently funded by the HSE, we know that this would be a substantial amount.
I believe a process similar to that conducted for pay restoration could play a useful role in providing solutions to the current pay-related issues that Section 39 organisations have raised. Such a process would help to establish the figures sought by the Deputy.
88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of long-Covid supports for children; his views on whether current supports are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware that Long COVID is having a devastating effect on people.
Clinical evidence currently suggests that longer-term effects of COVID19 are felt mostly by adults. The Interim Model of Care being implemented by the HSE aims to ensure a national service to support those needing care. €2.2m was allocated this year and within Estimates 2023, additional funding has been provided which will facilitate an overall investment of €6.6m for the development of Long Covid services.
Thankfully, available international evidence suggests that the majority of children with Long COVID-19 infection have asymptomatic or mild disease, their recovery is quick and the incidence of Long Covid is low. Nevertheless, services are in place to provide care for children who may need it. At present, evidence supports the provision of care to children by their GPs and if necessary, by general paediatricians, working in multi-disciplinary teams.
The National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and the National Clinical Advisors and Group Leads for children and young people work closely with the HSE Long-Covid team to review evidence and support access to care. In addition, the HSE has commissioned a review from HIQA to assess the latest evidence to further inform development of Long COVID services.
My Department and the HSE will continue to review evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, to ensure a national service is in place for those who need it, including children.
90. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further information on the €900,000 allocated to Cork and Galway for a paediatric neurology service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be provided in CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 together.
Funding of €0.9 million in Budget 2023 delivers on a Programme for Government commitment to continue the roll-out of the Neuro Rehabilitation Strategy.
This funding will give the HSE the opportunity to establish a further two multidisciplinary teams to add to the two that are currently being piloted in CHO 6 and CHO 7.
The overarching aim of the Neuro Rehabilitation Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity.
The pilots in CHO 6 and CHO 7 will provide a blueprint for future development of the Strategy.
In relation to the locations for new teams, the HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, will examine how services can be progressed in 2023 within the overall increased envelope of funding for neuro rehabilitation services.
91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of children's disability network teams in CHO4; the locations in which each team is based; the numbers of staff, in WTE terms, approved for each team; the numbers currently assigned to each team; the number of vacant positions on each team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 14 CDNTs in Cork Kerry Community Healthcare ( CHO 4 ) as per the locations in the accompanying table.
|
Team Location |
Lead Agency |
WTE |
Nos of WTEs vacant |
|
North Kerry |
Brothers of Charity |
17.82 |
1.70 |
|
West Kerry |
Enable Ireland |
20.20 |
2.51 |
|
South Kerry |
Brothers of Charity |
28.01 |
0.50 |
|
North West Cork |
St. Joseph’s Foundation |
22.93 |
5.35 |
|
North East Cork |
St. Joseph’s Foundation |
13.95 |
2.00 |
|
East Central Cork |
COPE Foundation |
16.59 |
3.23 |
|
East Cork City |
Brothers of Charity |
20.89 |
3.50 |
|
Central Cork |
COPE Foundation |
18.50 |
4.90 |
|
North Cork City & Blarney |
COPE Foundation |
14.87 |
3.67 |
|
West Cork |
Co Action |
22.49 |
1.60 |
|
South East Cork City |
Enable Ireland |
22.23 |
5.60 |
|
West Central Cork |
Enable Ireland |
28.76 |
2.90 |
|
Carrigaline/Kinsale/Bandon |
Brothers of Charity |
25.28 |
7.12 |
|
South Cork City |
Enable Ireland |
15.97 |
4.70 |
The vacancy rates in CDNTs across the country are of particular concern to both the HSE and I as Minister, as these grades of staff are absolutely essential for the delivery of legislative obligations for Assessment of Need and the provision of on-going therapy supports to children with complex needs.I wish to assure the Deputy that the HSE continues, as a priority, to explore a range of options to increase the recruitment and maintain retention of essential CDNT staff across all 91 Teams.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of the various hospital building/extension/replacement programmes in County Kildare and throughout the country with particular reference to the replacement of obsolete buildings, old-fashioned practices or facilities and the provision of a modern health service to meet the public demand of an increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52354/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual Capital Plan outlines the health capital projects which are being progressed across the country. I am happy to confirm that capital funding allocated in 2023 for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities is €1.017 billion, an increase of 11% over 2022.
There are typically over 300 projects included in the capital plan each year across the country and across the sector. I know the Deputy is a strong advocate for capital projects in Kildare, and has a keen interest in Naas General Hospital.
By way of update, there are several projects in train at Naas General Hospital. These include the new Lakeview Mental Health Unit for which a strategic assessment report is being prepared. This will provide 50 high-quality beds, including 9 Intensive Care Beds.
Also in Naas, construction of the Modular Isolation Unit is due to complete in early Q1 2023 providing 12 rooms to assist in the isolation of suspected COVID-19 and other infectious organisms’ cases.
I am happy to follow up with the Deputy with more detailed information on capital projects in Kildare.
At national level, my Department is developing a Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework. This Framework will build on the extensive research and papers recently published by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.
The Framework will utilise multiple criteria, including population-based requirements, in the assessment and strategic prioritisation of health investment proposals to ensure investments are evidence informed, equitable, and facilitate the delivery of improved health outcomes.
93. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the need for an elective hospital for Limerick and the mid-west (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the suitability of the St. John's Hospital site for an elective hospital for the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 331 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, 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. We are developing additional capacity which will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
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 Limerick and the mid-west.
I was in Limerick last week and discussed this matter with the Deputy as well as the Senior Management Team at the Hospital - and I would very much like to acknowledge the hard work of the Deputy and others in relation to this area. As he knows, I am committed to continued improvement of the elective care system in Ireland and I have been impressed to see solutions developed locally, such as the Reeves Day Surgery Unit at Tallaght University Hospital which has succeeded in significantly reducing waiting times for patients. I am clear that we need to keep an open mind as to how elective care is best delivered in Limerick and across the country.
94. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if there has ever been a survey done of non-consultant/SPR hospital doctors on their working conditions, number of consecutive days worked and their annual leave allocated and taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of surveys have been undertaken in relation to NCHDs training and working experiences, including the Medical Council's annual survey "Your Training Counts", surveys by the postgraduate training bodies and independent researchers. Others include the RCPI Post Evaluation Survey and Irish Association for Emergency Medicine’s Survey.
The Government is committed to a root and branch review of the working conditions and are actively working towards reform for NCHD’s and making posts in Ireland more attractive for them. NCHDs are a critical part of the health service. We must recognise their importance and work to ensure that they achieve a better work/life balance.
As part of this process we are currently engaged with the Revenue Commissioners to address NCHD concerns regarding emergency tax. I have directed the HSE to urgently implement these changes.
I am aware from meetings I have had with NCHDs as recently as last Thursday in Limerick, that they have concerns in relation to their working conditions, hours of work and access to annual leave. All NCHD’s are entitled to reasonable working conditions, to their annual leave and to be allowed take it.
I announced the establishment of a National Taskforce to focus on the NCHD workforce in September 2022 . This is an ongoing process whereby I receive regular reports and updates from the Taskforce to implement improvements concurrently. I am happy to report that €1 million has already been invested to begin addressing these issues.
95. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a contingency plan to ensure staffing levels are in place at Ennis injury unit following the closure of the unit on 20 August 2022 at short notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised me that there have been occasions recently where staffing issues have resulted in the temporary closure of Injury Units in Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s hospitals.
The closures, including on the day in question, related mainly to NCHD resources and to COVID-19 issues, though services can also be affected by deficits in nursing and allied health staffing resources. I am assured that these disruptions have all been communicated to the public in advance through the media and on social media, and this included advice on alternative ways to access care.
These disruptions are unfortunate. However, the increase in activity in all three Injury Units is a positive development. In 2021, 33,585 patients attended the Injury Units, which exceeded the level of activity prior to the pandemic. I am advised that there has been an annual growth in activity of 36% at Nenagh so far this year and 19% at Ennis. In May 2022, both Ennis and Nenagh had their busiest months to date with over 1,200 attendances each.
The new Injury Unit which opened at Ennis Hospital in April 2022 represents a €2 million investment by the HSE in improving the clinical environment and the patient experience for these services. The HSE has confirmed that it remains committed to growing these services in their model 2 hospitals in the long-term.
96. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the funding allocated by his Department in Budget 2023 for the provision of therapy services in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to recent discussions with An Taoiseach and relevant Government Ministers, the HSE and its CDNT Lead Agencies will receive additional funding to provide for an additional 136.3 WTEs to allow for the re-instatement of therapy posts in order to restore pre-existing services in 104 special schools.
The HSE had committed to a timeframe for the restoration of therapists to special schools, intending to take place in three phases commencing in September 2022. This was intended to ensure a quantum of resources would be available to special schools as quickly as possible.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a significant number of therapists within the first phase had been reinstated to schools when the Forsa Trade Union (which represent personnel involved) raised concerns with the HSE regarding the re-instatement process. These concerns have impacted on the HSE’s capacity to progress the first phase of the special school project.
The HSE remain committed to the programme and I can advise that intensive and ongoing engagement is taking place between the HSE and Forsa in order to facilitate a resolution to this matter as quickly as possible, ensuring the re-instatement of these posts to Special Schools across the country.
98. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the plans for a new elective hospital in Merlin Park, Galway; the timeline for the completion of the project; if this is phase one of the new elective and acute hospital proposed for the MPUH site, as set out as the preferred option in the Saolta University Health Care Group’s “Options Appraisal for Saolta Model 4 Hospital Services in Galway” 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2021, the Government agreed a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged and ensure greater capacity in the future. It will also help to address waiting lists on a national level through the provision of dedicated, standalone facilities in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
The development of the elective hospital proposals is following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code. This sets out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects. A Programme Preliminary Business Case has been reviewed by my Department and shared with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A project-level Preliminary Business Case for Galway is now complete and has been reviewed under the newly introduced External Assurance Process. Feedback from the review has been incorporated as required. It has been submitted for review by the Department of Public Expenditure’s Major Projects Advisory Group. Once this process has concluded, a Memorandum will be brought to Government for its consideration/approval. No decision on a site has been made, but the Memorandum will include a recommendation on a site option in Galway.
In parallel, work has also commenced to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of Public Spending Code Gate 2 - Detailed Project Design, Planning and Procurement - and to ensure the necessary structures and workstreams can be progressed at pace, including articulating the clinical service and operating model including separation of scheduled and unscheduled care pathways, procurement strategy, design for planning approvals and stakeholder engagement arrangements.
It is not possible to estimate timeline for the design, applying for planning and building of the new facilities; however, based on current plans it is intended that they would open in 2027 and be fully operational from 2028.
99. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progressing disability services roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Progressing Disability Services for Children & Young People (PDS) programme is agreed Government and HSE policy and seeks to address the previous inequity in service provision whereby there may have been an excellent service for some children and little or no service for others. However, it has been acknowledged that the transition to policy-based Children’s Disability Network Teams under the PDS Programme has been challenging for many families and staff
Following a meeting between Mr Paul Reid, the then CEO of the HSE and Ministers Donnelly, O’Gorman and I earlier this year, it was agreed by that an overarching document / roadmap would be developed to support all stakeholders to progress the next phase of implementation of PDS model.
The document will set out the actions being proposed by the HSE to improve services for children with disabilities and developmental delays as well as their families.
I wish to advise the Deputy that, following feedback received from the above Ministers on an early iteration of the roadmap, the HSE is currently finalising the roadmap document and will submit a revised document to the Department of Health in the near future.
100. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to provide a greater level of training for general practitioners across Ireland. [52236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. It is recognised by the Medical Council for the accreditation of specialist training in general practice in Ireland. In 2021, responsibility for GP training transferred from the HSE to the ICGP. The ICGP has made and will continue to make a vital contribution to the delivery of general practice in this country.
The Government has taken several measures to make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors, increasing the number of GPs working in the State.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement the 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 doctors entering GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 258 this year, with large increases in recent years. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
