Joe Flaherty
Ceist:161. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health his views on plans for a second palliative care bed at the St Joseph’s Care campus in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospice Services
Ceisteanna (161)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Health, in line with The National Palliative Care Policy (2001), is committed to furthering the development of palliative care across the country, ensuring a seamless pathway for patients who need palliative care across inpatient, homecare, nursing home and day care services.
St Joseph’s Care Centre, Longford provides 24-hour nursing care for up to 68 residents. There are planned refurbishment works underway in St. Joseph’s Care Centre in Longford to support the continued delivery of safe, high-quality services for residents. As part of service expansion in this location, the CHO has submitted a request for funding to develop a second palliative care support bed in St. Joseph’s Care Centre. While the HSE have planned to provide a second palliative care support bed at St. Joseph's in Longford, as Minister for Health I have not yet provided commitment for this additional palliative care support bed.
The Government will continue to work with local organisations alongside the HSE to ensure that people with life-limiting conditions across the country receive the level of palliative care they require.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (162)
Seán Canney
Ceist:162. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure that medical card holders can avail of dentistry services which are currently unavailable at this time due to an ongoing dispute between dentists and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51144/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over.
I am aware that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme during the pandemic, which has led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have both increased in recent months following a €26 million package of additional investment in and expansion of the Scheme from 1st May 2022, over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021.
However, these are interim measures and I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform.
An unprecedented allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence.
The HSE will assist patients who are still having difficulties accessing services and may provide emergency dental services directly to patients where necessary. I have secured an additional €5 million in Budget 2023 to help enable provision of such emergency care.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (163)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:163. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the current staffing breakdown at West Kerry Community Hospital; the way this compares with the numbers at the start of this year; if extra beds will be opened at the hospital; the specific efforts that are being made to recruit new nurses at the hospital including a breakdown of details of advertisements that have been made in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52364/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (164)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:164. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the 50% increase in radiation therapy treatment waiting lists for cancer patients and the shortage of radiation therapists to carry out these treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An 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.
Substance Misuse
Ceisteanna (165)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:165. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeline for the reopening of Keltoi. [52393/22]
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.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (166)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:166. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the 2022 budgets for the dental treatment services scheme, school dental scheme and the public PRSI-based scheme in counties Laois and Offaly. [52180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) is a demand-led scheme which provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. To date in 2022, €1.18 million has been spent under the DTSS in counties Laois and Offaly.
The HSE Public Dental Service provides care for children up to 16 years of age, including emergency care for all, a fissure sealant programme for 2nd and 6th classes and referral and care for orthodontics. The data requested by the Deputy is being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS) comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection. Eligibility for this Scheme is based on a person satisfying certain PRSI conditions. I understand that to date in 2022, €0.84 million has been spent in the DTBS in counties Laois and Offaly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (167)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:167. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the yearly spend on sepsis awareness in the past five years; his plans to raise awareness of sepsis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52371/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This matter relates to the work of the HSE National Sepsis Programme which was established in 2014. Placing a focus on sepsis awareness, and promotion of early recognition of sepsis are key elements of the programme.
While the initial priority was on raising awareness among healthcare staff, the focus has since moved to raising awareness in the community. To support this, several patient focused resources (including patient information leaflets, booklets, and posters) have been developed, along with educational and clinical management resources for healthcare staff. These are available on the HSE website under the webpages of the National Sepsis Programme. The work of the programme also supports the implementation of the National Clinical Guideline No. 26: Sepsis Management for Adults (including maternity) and the International Guidelines for the Management of Septic Shock & Sepsis-Associated Organ Dysfunction in Children (SSCGC).
Department of Health officials continue to engage with the HSE as they progress their work around their plans for further public engagement on sepsis awareness.
As this Parliamentary Question also relates to service delivery which is an operational matter for the HSE, it has been referred directly to the HSE for reply.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (168)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which plans are in hand to improve the delivery of the health services and to use the experience of combatting Covid-19 to overhaul waiting lists, staff shortages, the use of theatres and associated issues with contribute to the delay in the delivery of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from the Department.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (169)
Brian Leddin
Ceist:169. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop new healthcare infrastructure in the mid-west to match the demographic targets set out in Ireland 2040, the national planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to the continued development of healthcare infrastructure to enable the provision of high-quality health services in line with Programme for Government, National Planning Framework and National Development Plan priorities and targets.
There has been extensive investment in development of healthcare infrastructure nationally and in the mid-west region in recent years. I am happy to confirm that this will continue in 2023, with capital funding allocated for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities of €1.017 billion, an increase of 11% over 2022.
There have been a number of capital projects completed in the Mid-West region since 2020, including a 24 Bed Rapid Build Ward at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, a 16 single rooms and 4 double rooms Ward Block extension and refurbishment programme at Mid-Western Regional Hospital Nenagh, and a new 60 bed ward block University Hospital Limerick. Progress on development of important projects in the region continues and just last week, I broke the ground on a 96-bed ward block development at University Hospital Limerick which has an estimated construction period of two years. A range of other projects across the mid-west region in acute and community settings are in train and included in the Capital Plan 2022. The Capital Plan for 2023 is currently in development and will continue investment in the region.
To enhance the assessment of healthcare infrastructure projects for development, including considerations and targets set out in Project Ireland 2040, 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 which looked at areas including historical investment in health, investment criteria, capacity and condition of assets across the sector and regions.
The Framework will set out criteria for use in assessing investment proposals including patient safety and regulatory requirements, regional/population requirements and climate action considerations.
The Framework will enhance transparency and efficiency in the consideration and selection of healthcare infrastructure investment proposals and ensuring alignment with National Planning Framework and National Development Plan Strategic Outcomes and health policies and strategies.
My Department are continuing to engage with stakeholders on the Framework prior to its publication and implementation, which is expected in the coming weeks.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (170)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:170. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the actions that he has taken to address the shortfall in GP provision, including out-of-hours services, within the north-east region. [52118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,529 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the 1st of October, there are 25 GMS GP vacancies, approximately 1 percent of GMS panels, with one vacancy in each of counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath.
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 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.
In addition, a steady increase has been seen in the number of doctors entering GP training over recent years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. 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.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy with an update in relation to the GMS GP vacancies in the area concerned and the provision of the NEDOC out-of-hours GP service, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (171)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of children's disability network teams in CHO8; 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. [52418/22]
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.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (172)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:172. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the dental treatment services scheme; if the additional funding allocated by his Department to this scheme in the past six months has led to an increase in the number of dentists accepting medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme during the pandemic, which led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. Following discussion with the Irish Dental Association, a €26 million package of additional investment in and expansion of the Scheme came into effect from 1st May 2022, over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021.
While the number of dentists submitting claims under the scheme has not yet increased, the numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have both increased in recent months. This indicates the measures have had some positive impact on patient access to care.
However, these are interim measures and I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform. An unprecedented allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence.
The HSE will assist patients who are still having difficulties accessing services and may provide emergency dental services directly to patients where necessary. I have secured an additional €5 million in Budget 2023 to help enable provision of such emergency care.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (173)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:173. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the number of children's disability network teams in CHO9; the locations in which each team is based; the number 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. [52171/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (174)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:174. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the workforce planning process that his Department commenced, in conjunction with the clinical programme for persons with disabilities, has been finalised; and if he will detail the findings of the workforce planning process. [52464/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (175)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:175. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be in place in CHO4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52174/22]
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 (176)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:176. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the efforts to prepare the health system for increased demand over the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23 was published on the 11th of October. The Plan will support acute and community services this winter to respond to anticipated high levels of emergency attendances and admissions across the acute sector, long waiting times in EDs, and high occupancy rates in acute hospital settings.
The plan is estimated to cost up to €169 million to implement. Key measures of the plan include:
- the recruitment of 51 emergency medicine consultants and associated support staff
- an overall recruitment of an additional 608 whole time equivalents of a mix of different professions across the hospital system
- increased community intervention teams, GP supports and out of hours services to reduce the need for attendances at EDs
- increased community services for mental health, disability and palliative care
- increased community and acute diagnostics
- expansion of ambulance services, including the completion of 9 pathfinder teams to improve ambulance turnaround times
- a fund to support local, site-specific initiatives
The Winter Plan 2022/23 adopts a bottom-up approach with bespoke local plans that seek to address hospital-specific issues in conjunction with Community Healthcare Organisations.
The full Winter Plan 2022/23 is available on the HSE website (Winter Plan 2022-23 (hse.ie).
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (177)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:177. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish the disability capacity review action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032 and it is intended to address the capacity deficits in a phased approach over this period. This reflects the obligation under the UNCRPD for progressive implementation of social, cultural and economic rights.
In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services. This group has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will be an implementation plan for the first phase, is currently being finalised for approval.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (178)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be introduced to eliminate the differential in payments to nursing homes across different geographical areas under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52112/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding to support people to access long-term residential care is provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include:
- Costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home
- Local market prices
- Historic prices
- Overall budgetary capacity
The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009 and there is no role for Ministers or the Department in these negotiations. However, the Department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the review of the NTPF pricing system published in June 2021.
At present, the NTPF has regard to prices at county level when assessing ‘local market price’ (one of the 4 criteria outlined directly above, that is used in determining a nursing home’s agreed maximum price). However, disparities within a county (particularly between urban and rural areas) can mean that such prices do not always reflect the reality of local variations in cost. In this recommendation, the NTPF proposed undertaking a formal assessment of an alternative model where the local market price would be based on the prices of nursing homes within a specific radius, rather than at county level.
Substantial progress has been made on this recommendation, with systems developed that will allow an accurate estimate of the overall price impact of an alternative geographical pricing model. Once these systems have been put in place, a report will be submitted to the Minister for Health making further recommendations on implementing changes to the pricing system.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (179)
David Stanton
Ceist:179. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if all sections of the Nursing Home Supports Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 have been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on July 22nd by President Higgins, introduced safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. The principal amendment of this Act ensures that where the owners of farms and businesses go into long-term residential care, their contributions against those assets will be capped at 3 years, providing that a named family successor commits to running the asset for a period of six years and certain other conditions are met.
The legislation also extended the three-year cap on contributions from the value of a person's principal residence to the proceeds of sale of that residence, so that a person will be able to sell their home without incurring additional fees from the fourth year onwards. This delivered action 18.7 of the Government's Housing for All Strategy.
The amended legislation has been fully operational since 20 October 2021.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (180)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:180. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the discussion in relation to multi-annual funding for community projects especially those in Section 38 and Section 39 organisations. [44555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 38s and 39s have service provision arrangements with the HSE across a range of health and social care areas. Funding for current expenditure for these organisations is allocated on an annual (single- year) basis through the Estimates process.
There has been a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure that highlights the benefits of introducing multi annual funding and discusses the possible future introduction of it for the Garda Siochana vote.
I acknowledge that there are potential benefits of introducing Multi Annual Funding to improve planning over a multi annual horizon on a more structured/sustainable timeframe than a single year.
However, there currently exist a range of legislative barriers to the introduction of multi annual funding for these providers on the basis that the Oireachtas only votes current expenditure to individual Government departments for a single year at a time. This in turn translates into the legislative provisions under the Health Act 2004 (as amended) where the Department confirms the funding determination to the HSE each year, post Budget, to inform the development of the HSE's National Service Plan. This funding allocation and service planning process only occurs on a planning horizon of a single year at a time.
The position is different in relation to capital expenditure where the National Development Plan sets out the longer-term investment plan over multiple years.