Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:119. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (120)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:120. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he can ensure that a bed can be provided in Letterkenny University Hospital psychiatric unit for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (121)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:121. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55701/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Pharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (122)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55715/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the significant role that community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care. Indeed, community pharmacists have played a central role in the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout – the largest ever undertaken by the State. I also acknowledge the vital role that community pharmacy will play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the Health Service Executive (HSE) established a Community Pharmacy Contingency Planning working group with relevant stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures. This group – now called the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum – had examined the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland.
The work of the Forum has now transitioned to discussing the strategic direction of the community pharmacy profession. This will prove invaluable in the context of future contractual reform. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the Community Drug Schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In the case of reimbursement to pharmacy contractors, it is important to note that under Statutory Instrument No. 279 of 2013, the "ingredient cost" of a reimbursable product is defined as:
"(a) in the case of fridge items, the ex-factory price together with a wholesale mark-up of 12 per cent, and
(b) in the case of any other drug item, the ex-factory price together with a wholesale mark-up of 8 per cent;"
Therefore, when reimbursing community pharmacists, the HSE generally applies a factor of 8% to the ex-factory price as per the definition of ingredient cost. At the time, it was considered that the settlement terms and discounts between a pharmacy and their mainline wholesaler supplier were such that the net price a pharmacy was actually paying would be covered by the HSE reimbursement price. However, it is understood that some wholesalers continue to invoice at the traditional markup, rather than the reduced price, and this may enable the perception that the HSE reimbursement price is not covering the ingredient cost. In circumstances where an independent pharmacy believes that a wholesaler who also operates as a pharmacy is exercising an unfair competitive advantage, they may raise the specific issue with the PSI as the pharmacy regulator, and with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, as the Competition regulator.
I also understand that there are reports of a current acute workforce issue, particularly in relation to community pharmacy. The PSI has been liaising with stakeholders, including the IPU, on efforts being taken within the sector to understand and address the issue. This a complex problem with many contributing factors and multiple stakeholders. Workforce challenges are being experienced in other sectors nationally, and in the pharmacy sector in a range of other countries. This re-enforces the need for robust data for Ireland to be best able to determine the current landscape, assess future health system needs and understand existing sectoral challenges now and into the future.
The PSI are currently undertaking a project, titled ‘Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce’, which is set to “assess emerging risks to the continued availability of a professional pharmacy workforce within community and hospital pharmacy in Ireland”. As part of this project, the PSI have committed to share any relevant data emerging with relevant Government departments particularly if trends are identified that indicate a future deficit. It will be on the basis of gathering and analysing up-to-date, robust and relevant data, that recommendations can be proposed to address Ireland’s needs for a pharmacist workforce in the future, as Ireland’s healthcare system evolves, and in the context of Sláintecare implementation. I will engage as necessary with government colleagues in addressing relevant issues as they arise.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (123, 124)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that in Mullingar Covid testing centre, the National Ambulance Service will take over Covid testing capacity and be on standby in the event of a winter surge, given that it has been well documented nationally that the NAS does not have enough personnel to cover the ambulance service; and if he will provide details of the way in which the NAS expects to manage in the event of a winter surge of Covid. [55724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that there are concerns from residents that the greater midlands area will now be left with a very reduced Covid testing service, given that at its busiest last winter, the Mullingar Covid testing centre alone swabbed on average 800 to 1,000 persons per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
I have accepted updated advice from the Chief Medical Officer relating to COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Surveillance which has also been approved by the Government.
In the coming weeks, the HSE will be adopting a targeted approach for COVID-19 testing which will be based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient. Swabbing will be undertaken by GPs in these circumstances. Testing will also take place where deemed necessary by Public Health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.
Based on the revised public health advice, community swabbing will no longer be a feature of our COVID-19 response as testing will no longer be recommended for the general population. The implementation of this advice will reduce the scale of testing and contact tracing around the country and is leading to consolidation of resources in the period ahead, including the closure of community testing facilities which will no longer be required. The HSE has also developed extensive plans for surge and emergency responses for future requirements for testing and tracing should that need be identified. This includes additional resources that I have provided to the National Ambulance Service to recruit permanent Intermediate Care Operatives who will be deployed for swabbing purposes should the need arise to reintroduce community swabbing in the future but who will be deployed on ambulance service duties in the meantime.
The contractual arrangements relating to staff employed by the HSE as community swabbers is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible in relation to this matter.
The approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. This is mitigating against the worst impacts of infection.
I have also provided additional resources to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems. This will ensure effective monitoring and signalling of what is happening with the virus at population level, and so that we can understand disease transmission and severity along with population immunity and risk.
The pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 is still a concern so testing remains an important part of our ongoing response to the disease for individuals vulnerable to its effects and for whom testing is indicated. For everybody, continuing to follow our public health advice available on hse.ie is still important. Anybody who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.
My Department, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), overseen by the Chief Medical Officer, continue to review the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and internationally. This includes the on-going close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assessment of any potential threat to population health.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 123.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (125)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:125. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide recognition and professional status for highly qualified staff in the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the regulatory body responsible for the standards, education and training in pre-hospital emergency care and as such maintains a statutory register of practitioners.
As the employer of National Ambulance Service pre-hospital emergency care practitioners, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly with any further details that it may have on its workforce, including its paramedics.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (126)
Colm Burke
Ceist:126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the necessary support services would be provided to women who have opted for a home birth delivery, and that no new guidelines or regulations would be put in place which would place restrictions on such a service where the person is not living immediately adjacent to a maternity unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (127)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the new east Meath primary care centre; the latest expected date for completion of the project and for services to commence locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55758/22]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (128)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:128. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 710 of 17 May 2022, if he will provide an update on the National Cervical Screening Laboratory at the Coombe; the date it will be operational; the specific work that will be undertaken there; the number of staff required and the number recruited to date; the qualifications and grades of recruited staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55765/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.