Michael Creed
Ceist:725. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork can expect an appointment for their awaited CT scan which is urgently required. [58038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (725)
Freagraí 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.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (726)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:726. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant ambulance waiting times experienced by constituents in the Tipperary region; the average length of time between an ambulance request being made, the dispatch, and its arrival to a scene; the root cause that his Department identifies of this long ongoing issue; the action being taken to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58039/22]
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 (727, 728)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:727. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 990 of 8 November 2022, the way in which members of the public can access HSE assistance if they are unable to secure dental treatment for emergency dental treatment where necessary; the areas that these supports are available in; and the contact addresses of such supports. [58048/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohnny Mythen
Ceist:728. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if there is an immediate plan in place to address the situation which dentists are only seeing existing patients and not taking on new patients in County Wexford and if he will make a statement on the matter ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58049/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 728 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that medical card holders in some parts of the country have experienced issues in accessing a dentist under the Scheme.
The HSE have assured me that where a patient contacts the local HSE dental service in relation to difficulties accessing a dentist, each case is followed up by the local services who can provide details of private contractors operating under the DTSS. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE directly assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by contacting private contractors or arranging treatment through HSE employed dentists.
My officials have asked the HSE to compile the necessary contact details for the local dental clinics and will respond directly to the Deputy in due course once this information is received.
I have awarded €5 million in Budget 2023 to support the HSE to continue to provide this emergency care service across the country next year, as well as to provide care to the targeted primary school class programme, and preparation is underway in the HSE for the use of this funding.
While this is a once-off measure, I am also committed to improving access to oral healthcare services in the longer term through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte . This €5m award is part of an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year and support substantial service reform, through policy implementation.
On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 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, including through work on the development of a new medical card scheme. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
Question No. 728 answered with Question No. 727.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (729)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:729. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if contracted services, including contract cleaners, catering staff and security personnel, working in public hospitals will receive the Covid-19 recognition payment; and if so, when it will be paid to them. [58051/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (730)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:730. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a planned new primary care centre in a location (details supplied); the stage that this development is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58052/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (731)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:731. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies at a centre (details supplied); and the length of time that each vacancy has existed. [58053/22]
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (732)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:732. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in a centre (details supplied); the number of these beds currently occupied; the current waiting list for a bed in the unit; the current staffing levels; the current staffing vacancies, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58054/22]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (733)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:733. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to allocate a HSE-contracted GP to a town (details supplied) on a short-term basis given the increased population since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58055/22]
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.
Most GPs hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under various public health schemes; there are no plans at present to directly employ GPs. Any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is committed to increasing the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement 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.
Furthermore, 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.
My Department and the HSE are preparing to commence shortly a strategic review of GP services to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. The review will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice in general and in rural areas specifically, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a sustainable general practice.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (734)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:734. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if a commitment was given to put in place a healthcare professional at a location (details supplied) in 2017; the reason that this did not happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to a service matter I am referring the question to the HSE.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (735)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:735. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of complications related to the most recent Covid-19 vaccine by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58057/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), as the regulatory authority in Ireland for medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland.
As part of its remit, the HPRA operates the national adverse reaction database, to which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All suspected adverse reaction reports received by the HPRA are entered into the national database for national monitoring and subsequently submitted to the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA's) adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
Up to 6 September, the HPRA received 20,479 reports describing suspected side effects in association with COVID-19 vaccines, of which 2,558 Were received in 2022. 13,468 were in association with mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax), 6,684 were in association with Adenoviral vector vaccines (Vaxzevria and Covid-19 Jcovden (previously Janssen), 5 were in association with Recombinant adjuvanted spike protein vaccine (Nuvaxovid) and 334 reports were in association with vaccines where the brand was not known or provided at the time of reporting.
The majority of regularly reported suspected side effects are consistent with the types of events typically observed following vaccination, including those described in the product information for the individual vaccines. Whilst not experienced by everyone, all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the benefits in preventing COVID-19 illness. Overall, the national reporting experience continues to support the favourable assessment that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks.
The HPRA has been publishing regular public safety updates on reporting experience with the COVID-19 vaccines, including information on the numbers and nature of these reports. To date, eighteen such updates have been published and are accessible from the HPRA website with the most recent publication issued on 19 May: www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/default-document-library/safety-update-covid-19-vaccines-overview-of-national-reporting-experience-(19052022).pdf?sfvrsn=4
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (736)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:736. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on a particularly serious matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58058/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Health, I acknowledge the trauma and distress caused to those families who, having experienced the tragedy of losing a beloved child, have then had the difficult experience of learning that organs have been retained without consultation or for an extended period of time. Such incidents are clearly unacceptable and add to the distress and grief of families.
The Department of Health recognises the need to introduce safeguards to protect the integrity of the human body before and after death, and the Human Tissue (Transplant, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill is a legislative priority for this Government. The Bill is a composite piece of legislation that will introduce a statutory framework across the areas of organ donation and transplantation, post-mortem practice and procedures in hospital settings, anatomical examination and public display of bodies after death.
The overarching aim of the Bill is to further embed in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive matters.
Department of Health officials continue to work on the legislation and drafting is now in its final stages. As such, I expect to be in a position to seek Government approval for publication of the Human Tissue Bill by the end of this month (November 2022).
I know that the HSE is also committed to ensuring post-mortem services comply with best practice across all hospitals and is progressing the eight recommendations identified in an audit report on the post-mortem process published earlier this year.
Actions taken so far include:
- The Chief Clinical Officer has established a Post-Mortem Examination Services Group to review and update the 2012 Standards. This Group is due to complete its work by the end of the year;
- The National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) has accelerated a review of the provision of perinatal pathology, and the HSE is currently developing a National Perinatal Pathology Practice Framework Document to support services;
- The HSE is continuing to invest in perinatal pathology services with the aim of ensuring that all hospitals will have access to a regional service either as part of their Hospital Group or a network of Hospital Groups; and
- HSE National Acute Operations has engaged with local hospital management to ensure that existing guidelines are followed.
While it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases, I can confirm that the correspondence raised by the Deputy has been received by my Department. I have instructed officials to engage with the HSE to ensure that the family in question are provided with the information requested.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (737)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:737. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has received a meeting request from an organisation (details supplied); if so, the response that he has issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that I have received a request to meet with this group and that the correspondence is currently receiving attention.
A reply will issue directly to the group shortly.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (738)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:738. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to close any community mental health care setting in north Dublin (details supplied); if so, the timeline for its closure; his plans for those accommodated in the facility; the arrangements for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58062/22]
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.
Suicide Incidence
Ceisteanna (739)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:739. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have died by suicide under the age of 60 years by age and county in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [58063/22]
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.
Suicide Incidence
Ceisteanna (740)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:740. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have died by suicide aged 60-69, 70-79 and 80+ years by county in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [58064/22]
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.
Alcohol Advertising
Ceisteanna (741)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:741. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the implementation of the broadcast watershed given that it has been four years since the passage of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 (details supplied); and if he will provide the details of the work that his Department is undertaking to ensure that this measure is implemented without further delay. [58069/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
26 of the 31 sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act have been commenced since its enactment in 2018, including such significant measures as section 11 on Minimum unit pricing and section 22 on the separation and visibility of alcohol products in mixed retail outlets.
Of the remaining sections, necessary draft regulations under section 12 of the Act on the labelling of alcohol products have been developed and are currently undergoing an assessment process with the European Commission.
Draft regulations under section 13 of the Act on the content of advertisements are also currently being developed with the Office of the Attorney General.
Section 19 on a Broadcast Watershed requires further consultation with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Environmental Health Service of the HSE in relation to the enforcement of this provision. It is my intention to commence section 19 as soon those consultations are complete.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (742)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:742. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schedule of delivery for the 321 acute beds due to be delivered in 2022 and 2023, as per the Winter Plan 2022/23. [58072/22]
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 Services
Ceisteanna (743)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:743. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schedule of delivery for the 20 critical care beds due to be delivered in 2022 and 2023, as per the Winter Plan 2022/23. [58073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (744)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:744. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health If he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schedule of delivery for the 202 public community beds due to be delivered in 2022 and 2023, as per the Winter Plan 2022-2023. [58074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (745)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:745. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the final report of the expert group on tort reform and the management of clinical negligence claims, published in December 2020; if he intends to implement the recommendations which come under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58075/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, an Expert Group was established by the Government in June 2018, chaired by Mr. Justice Charles Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively, particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. Government noted the contents of the Final Report and agreed to its publication in December 2020.
The Report contains seventeen recommendations for change, ten of which relate to the Department of Health.
While the recommendations that come within the remit of my Department range in complexity, all ten are being carefully considered.