Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:704. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59356/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (704)
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.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (705)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:705. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the way that inheritance that has been disclaimed by an applicant for the fair deal scheme is treated; if this can be disregarded and not treated as an asset for the purposes of a fair deal scheme means assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. One of the key principles of the scheme is that nobody will pay more than the actual cost of their care, and a participant will only pay for the amount of time they actually spend in care. Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income (40% in the case of a couple), such as their pension, and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held (3.75% in the case of a couple), such as their principal private residence or cash assets. All cash assets owned by a person are considered assessible under the scheme, with the exception of certain ex gratia payments from the state that are set out under the legislation.
The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap, which is intended to protect the value of a principal private residence, along with the other safeguards built into the Financial Assessment which ensure that:
- Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care; - A participant will keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater, and; - If a participant has a spouse or partner remaining at home, they will be left with 50% of the couple’s income or the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater Transferred assets are also assessed, in the event that they were transferred less than five years prior to the date the person enters long term care. Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, the legislation underpinning the scheme, a transferred asset is defined as an asset that has been transferred at any time in the period of 5 years prior to the date on which an application for State support is first made by or on behalf of that person.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (706)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:706. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on phase two of plans to review the nursing home regulatory model, which was due to commence in quarter three of 2022 as per the Fourth Progress Report on the Implementation of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Recommendations; if this process has commenced; the status of HIQA’s international evidence review of nursing home regulatory models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 2007 established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. In doing so, it also provides for a scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for older persons (nursing homes), persons with disabilities and children in need of care and protection. HIQA's functions include the setting of standards on safety and quality in respect of these residential services and the Chief Inspector of Social Services monitors compliance with standards and regulations.
In response to recommendations from the Nursing Homes Expert Panel and in recognition of the need for regulatory reform and the need to modernise legislation, a phased approach has been determined to examine the legislation with a view to enhancing the nursing home regulatory model.
Phase one is bringing forward interim legislative enhancements aimed at making initial improvements to the regulatory framework across two thematic areas (1) provide a broader suite of enforcement tools for the Chief Inspector and (2) the collection, sharing and publication of key date on designated centres to support service and policy development.
Phase two is a wider, root and branch review of the nursing home regulatory model. Phase two has commenced with an international evidence review of nursing home regulatory models by HIQA to support the wider reform. The review is nearing completion and will be published in due course. It is intended that this evidence review will lay the foundation for stakeholder engagements in early 2023 which will further inform the scope and nature of proposed changes.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (707, 708, 709, 710)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:707. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card eligibility reviews carried out on persons over 70 years of age in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:708. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card eligibility reviews carried out on persons under 70 years of age each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59391/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:709. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of GP card eligibility reviews carried out on persons over 70 years of age in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:710. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of GP card eligibility reviews carried out on persons under 70 years of age in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59393/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 707, 708, 709 and 710 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 708 answered with Question No. 707.
Question No. 709 answered with Question No. 707.
Question No. 710 answered with Question No. 707.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (711)
Francis Noel Duffy
Ceist:711. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long wait times facing attendees of Tallaght University Hospital's accident and emergency department; and his views on the actions being taken to alleviate this pressure. [59414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of the current pressures facing Tallaght University Hospital and I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in the hospital.
We are experiencing a very challenging start to winter, and already our Emergency Departments are experiencing high levels of daily presentations and congestion.
The HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23 was published on the 11th of October. The Plan is supporting 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.
In relation to the particular query raised regarding the actions being undertaken at Tallaght University Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (712)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:712. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the position of Ireland in relation to a World Health Organisation proposal for a pandemic treaty; if he will advocate to bring about a people-centred legal instrument with commitments and practical mechanisms for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery based on human rights equity and principles; if the issues of innovation and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, sharing data and technology, building resilient health systems, transparency and financing pandemic preparedness and response, will be addressed in this treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the WHO in a central leadership role. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not acceptable.
On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Ireland supports the WHO led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of such a pandemic agreement is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established by WHO and has met twice in 2022, with another meeting scheduled for the 5-7 December. INB3 in December will discuss a Conceptual Zero Draft of the pandemic agreement. A progress report on the negotiations is expected to be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the agreement by 2024.
The EU is a leading proponent of this process and Ireland, along with a majority of EU Member States, is part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. It should be noted that while certain health matters are within the competency of EU Member States, other health matters are within the competency of the EU itself. Officials in my Department, working with Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, are engaging and will continue to engage with other Government Departments, the EU negotiator, and the INB bureau in this process.
As the proposed pandemic agreement is still in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine the precise issues which will eventually be included. However, all the issues raised by the Deputy are featuring in the discussions at present. Ireland will be advocating for an ambitious, fair and implementable agreement to protect public health through better pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (713)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:713. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the front-line pandemic bonus payment still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to thank all healthcare workers for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. To date, over 124,000 workers have received the payment, and payments to eligible HSE and Section 38 staff are substantially complete.
Certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees are also covered by the Government Decision, and efforts are underway to ensure an efficient and expeditious rollout to these staff. These include 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 HSE and KOSI Corp are currently progressing the rollout to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above. Information on the process involved has now been provided by the HSE and KOSI Corp to relevant organisations. I am pleased to confirm that payments to employers of eligible staff are rolling out, with funding transfers underway, and these employers will then pass on the payments to their eligible staff.
The Department of Health has transferred funding to the Department of Defence and Dublin City Council, to enable payments to eligible staff among members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE, and Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE. These employers are working to arrange payments to these staff as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (714)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:714. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will review the medical card appeal of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59430/22]
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.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (715)
Colm Burke
Ceist:715. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of the regional fertility hubs that are fully operational in November 2022; the number of patients who have been seen in each hub in the first nine months of 2022; the level of treatment that is provided by each hub; the number of staff in each hub in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59431/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question concerns service-related matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (716)
Colm Burke
Ceist:716. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the level of expansion that he expects from each of the regional fertility hubs in 2023, 2024 and 2025; the level of staff that each hub will have; the number of patients each hub will treat; the fertility services that each will provide in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question concerns service-related matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 717 answered with Question No. 684.
Question No. 718 answered with Question No. 684.
Question No. 719 answered with Question No. 684.
Question No. 720 answered with Question No. 684.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (721)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:721. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the avenues open to a child (details supplied) to get expensive dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59466/22]
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 (722)
Niall Collins
Ceist:722. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59473/22]
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 (723)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:723. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason that a child (details supplied) under the care of Portiuncula University Hospitals cardiology and paediatric teams is now classed as a new patient following their automatic transfer to adult services in the same hospital following their sixteenth birthday; if his attention has been drawn to reports that following this transfer, their care has effectively ceased despite their immediate and ongoing clinical need including the twice yearly appointments with their consultant to monitor their symptoms and medication, and that the wait time for their next appointment will be in excess of three years. [59474/22]
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 (724)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 11 October 2022, what qualifies as a meaningful contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59489/22]
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.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (725)
Robert Troy
Ceist:725. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the contents of correspondence submitted (details supplied); and if he will provide an update on proposals to address concerns outlined. [59492/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a rare disease affecting approximately 1 in 5,000 people. Doctors are taught how to diagnose and manage it during their undergraduate and postgraduate training. As the principal clinical presentation is hypermobility/ hyperelasticity of soft tissues and joints, Rheumatology provides a key role in its diagnosis and management. Given its rarity, many doctors may not encounter a patient with EDS during their careers. This can lead to delayed recognition of the disease and diagnosis.
Most patients can be appropriately managed for their skin and joint disease mainly within primary care services once the diagnosis is confirmed. Most patients do not need lifelong specialist rheumatology care. Where patients have severe EDS (they have other specialist care needs), and their rheumatologist or primary care doctor will seek the help of an appropriate specialist but most patients with EDS do not need to see multiple specialists.
As it is an inherited disease, the most severe forms of EDS usually present first in childhood, and care of these patients by multiple specialists may be initially by the paediatric rheumatologists at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Existing multidisciplinary specialty care for EDS is available through the specialties of cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, rheumatology, gastroenterology, orthopaedics, and physiotherapy at the paediatric services at CHI.
As patients with EDS transition to adult rheumatology services, they require access to a consultant led multi-disciplinary team. I have been advised by the National Clinical Programme for Rheumatology (NCPR) that the needs of adult persons with EDS and all Rheumatology patients of similar needs will be most appropriately addressed through the Rheumatology Model of Care, where appropriate specialist multidisciplinary adult rheumatology care is provided to all patients.
There has been an increase in rheumatology staffing for patients with a third consultant paediatric rheumatologist, and a consultant adult/transitional care rheumatologist in addition to a multidisciplinary team including two advanced nurse practitioners has been appointed at CHI/St James Hospital.
Despite the international shortage of healthcare workers, record levels of workforce growth have been achieved across the health sector in 2020 and 2021. 2022 continues to show strong growth with an expansion of 3% achieved up to October and further growth projected for the end of the year. This expansion has included an additional 587 consultants, a growth of 18%. The total number of consultants stands at 3,837 WTE in October 2022. Funding has been secured to continue this record expansion of the health sector workforce into 2023 with a further expansion of 4% projected in 2023.
The Government is committed to introducing a public-only consultant contract in the near future. It is intended that the Contract will be introduced following engagement with the representative bodies, the IMO and the IHCA, that is currently in train. While there have been challenges in recruiting to certain consultant specialties for a number of years, the overall number of consultants has increased significantly, and the Government is committed to recruiting a further 1,000 additional consultants under the new contract.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (726)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:726. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to pay the special leave with pay for Covid-19 to staff as agreed earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59493/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have provided for Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) for the recommended isolation period (currently 7 days), for civil and public servants nationally who contract Covid. For certain employees who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long-Covid, a temporary scheme, specific to the public health service was introduced to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection.
Employees who met the eligibility criteria for the Scheme will have transferred to the Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of any occasions of non-payment of SLWP where it is due, for example where the Deputy is suggesting that this is taking place in the Ambulance Service in Donegal.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (727)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:727. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the commitment in Project Ireland 2040 for a new cancer centre at University Hospital, Galway will be progressed; the current status of the project; the present timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59499/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of Project Ireland 2040, the government is committed to ensuring the continued improvement of cancer services at University Hospital Galway (UHG), withinvestments already made in recent years.
Saolta Hospital Group has made extensive proposals for the new cancer centre in Galway. As the proposed centre would be a major capital investment it is required to be considered through the HSE capital development process as well as the Public Spending Code. This project is in the initial stages.
Under the National Programme for Radiation Oncology (NPRO), a new €56m radiation oncology facility has been developed at UHG. The facility includes seven radiotherapy treatment vaults, a brachytherapy suite, two CT rooms, MRI, on-treatment support, and ancillary physics, treatment planning and administration facilities. Construction is now complete, and the facility will see its first patients in Q2 2023.