James Lawless
Ceist:81. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way it is proposed to expand GP services in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61179/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (81)
Freagraí 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 2,532 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 December, 29 GMS panels (or just over 1%) are vacant, and there are no GMS vacancies in County Kildare.
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. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. 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.
Furthermore, 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.
Hospital Overcrowding
Ceisteanna (82)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:82. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of more beds at West Kerry Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61307/22]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (83)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:83. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of phase 2 of the new hospital development on the campus of the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61026/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Rehabilitation Hospital have initiated a proposal for “Phase 2” of its campus development and the HSE’s National Capital & Property Steering Group has recommended this for approval to progress to the Strategic Assessment Report stage.
My department has yet to receive these proposals, but my understanding is that the HSE is compiling a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for this proposal to ensure full compliance with the Public Spending code (PSC). I expect that this SAR will be submitted to my Department in Q2 2023.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated Public Spending Code (PSC).
The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.
These are defined processes in which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects (i.e. those over costing over €100m) can be satisfied that the project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (84)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:84. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are set to benefit from the national Traveller health action plan; the details of what is contained within the action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The national Traveller Health Action Plan fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Travellers have the right to the highest attainable standard of health as is the norm in Irish society. The action plan is a comprehensive public health response to the health needs of Travellers, that provides tailored and affirmative measures to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life, and are delivered in partnership with Travellers.
The action plan acknowledges the difficulties Travellers can experience in accessing healthcare services. Low health literacy and poor communication channels impair interactions between Travellers and healthcare providers.
To address these barriers, the Action Plan adopts an inclusion health approach, which seeks to change how healthcare services are delivered. Central to this is the involvement of Travellers in healthcare delivery. The primary healthcare projects are an example of a peer-led model that trains Travellers as community health workers. The provision of services in a culturally sensitive manner is another feature of an inclusion health approach.
The action plan has four goals and 45 actions. Further details on the action plan are available here. www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/socialinclusion/national-traveller-health-action-plan-2022-2027.pdf
The action plan will benefit all Travellers. The 2016 Census recorded approximately 30,987 Travellers in the Republic of Ireland. The recent annual Traveller count by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, reported 11,680 Traveller families.
I am fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to ensure the successful implementation of the action plan, along with my colleagues Minister Donnelly and Minister Butler. To support the delivery of the action plan, the Department of Health is providing new development funding of €1.3 million in 2023. This is in addition to the €10 million that is already allocated for Traveller-specific health services.
I believe the action plan is a significant step to improving health experiences and outcomes for the Traveller community.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (85, 100)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); the details of the update in 2021 of the options appraisal for model 4 hospital services published in 2019, as referenced in the letter; if the updated options appraisal has been published; if so, if a copy of the updated Options Appraisal will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the preferred option in the 2019 options appraisal for model hospital services; the status of the 2019 options appraisal as regards providing a framework for the future development and upgrading of Galway hospital facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61356/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 100 together.
I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the very difficult and unacceptable conditions for patients, families and healthcare staff working in Galway University Hospital. I visited Galway in October and it is clear, that action is required there on multiple fronts.
Health capital investment decisions are informed by Programme for Government priorities, sectoral policies, strategies and reform initiatives as set out in Sláintecare. The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated Public Spending Code (PSC).
The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. There are defined processes in which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects, can be satisfied that a project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer.
The scale of the ambitions for University Hospital Galway (UHG) are significant, as are the costs forecast within a limited capital envelope. Project prioritisation is therefore a necessity and in the health sector is driven by healthcare needs. The HSE’s service directorate must determine the service need and the most appropriate model of care. The development of new /refurbished healthcare facilities in Galway, or anywhere in the country, cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related health care services. Therefore, the determination of the specific model of care and how and where it interfaces with the wider health service is in the specification /project brief that determines the type and scale of facility to be provided. Work is ongoing in this regard in relation to the projects proposed for UHG.
To further enhance the capital investment process, my Department is currently developing a strategic health investment framework to ensure that capital investments are evidenced based, equitable, and Sláintecare reforms are achieved, with the overall objective of having better health outcomes. This will enhance the efficient delivery of capital projects in the health system across the State.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (86)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:86. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to increase home help hours for the elderly; the steps that are being taken to increase the number of homecare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61345/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Addressing the shortage of care-workers in Ireland is an urgent priority for the Government. To this end, I established the cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group in March 2022 to examine, and formulate recommendations to address, the challenges in front-line carer roles in the home-support and long-term residential care sectors. Working closely with key stakeholders, the Group examined the recruitment, retention, training, career-development, and pay and conditions of care-workers.
The Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Healthcare Assistants was published on 15th October 2022. Providing an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the report presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development, sectoral reform, and monitoring and implementation.
I strongly endorse all of the Group's recommendations and work towards their implementation has commenced. At a press conference on 30th November, Minister English and I announced that 1,000 General Employment Permits will be made available for home-support workers from January 2023. As recommended by the Advisory Group, these permits will be for full-time positions with a minimum salary of €27,000 per year and a stipulated minimum continuous shift-length of four hours per working day.
All of the recommendations will be monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that they are enacted in full and in a timely manner.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (87)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:87. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the wait time for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy assessments in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61102/22]
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 (88)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:88. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the steps that his Department is taking to address the long wait times for respite services for people with intellectual disabilities in the CHO 7 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61344/22]
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 (89)
John Lahart
Ceist:89. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to further develop dementia services in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following unprecedented investment in dementia services and supports in Budgets 2021 and 2022, the Government will continue to focus on enhancing dementia care for people with dementia in 2023.
New funding of €2.1 million has been allocated in Budget 2023 to ensure that dementia-specific day care centres can return to full operational capacity. Dementia in-home day care supports will also continue for those who are unable to attend centre-based day care.
Furthermore, the proportion of new home support hours allocated to people with dementia will increase to 15% in 2023, up from 5% in 2021 and 11% in 2022. This increase is valued at €5.2 million.
Work will also continue in 2023 to further implement the National Dementia Strategy, with a focus on assessment, diagnosis and post-diagnostic supports and care initiatives to ensure timely access, reduce waiting times and improve the quality of care provided to people with dementia.
A Model of Care to advance treatment, care and support for people with dementia will also be published early in 2023.
I am confident that these measures will make a real difference to the lives of people with dementia and their families.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (90)
John McGuinness
Ceist:90. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61366/22]
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (91, 103)
Joe Carey
Ceist:91. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the efforts to ensure that the 35 children with cystic fibrosis who have been excluded from the Katrio drug therapy treatment will have access to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Gino Kenny
Ceist:103. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has made Kaftrio available to all adults and children who need the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61300/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 103 together.
Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it. This Government wants to ensure greater access to new and innovative medicines and has allocated significant additional funding for new medicines in recent Budgets. Since the beginning of 2021, 99 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, have been funded. This has included 27 for the treatment of rare diseases, including Cystic Fibrosis.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
I am grateful to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) for meeting with me recently, and outlining the concerns of the Cystic Fibrosis community. We discussed the recent statement from the Consultants providing care for these children, with all parties aligning in the view that the approach taken by the manufacturer, Vertex, is unfair to these children. I reassured CFI of the urgency with which the Government and the HSE are approaching the current situation.
I have been advised by the HSE that engagement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals is ongoing, which I hope can be quickly brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (92)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which every effort is being made, similar to the co-ordinated efforts displayed in the fight against Covid-19, to ensure the recovery of the health services and the overhaul of long waiting lists; if the delivery plan can be coordinated in such a way as to achieve major objectives in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan I launched in February is part of our multi-annual approach to reduce and reform waiting lists and times, which were exacerbated during the Pandemic.
It builds on the success of the 2021 Plan that delivered reductions in waiting lists of 5% in Q4 2021, as part of €340m funding allocated last year.
Through the 2022 Plan, €350 million was allocated to provide additional public and private activity to further stabilise and reduce waiting lists and times, in tandem with bringing forward longer-term reforms like care pathways and enhancing capacity in hospitals and specialties.
Despite continued COVID-19 challenges this year our hospitals delivered significant reductions in waiting lists, with long waiters falling across all targets YTD and compared to pandemic peaks. For example, patients waiting > 12 months for OPD has fallen 24% YTD and 39% since March 2021; and patients waiting > 6 months for procedures has decreased 35% since September 2020. Many individual hospitals have delivered impressive reductions in both their waiting lists and waiting times. The HSE is currently working to replicate this positive performance across the entire hospital system.
The Waiting List Task Force, co-chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and the CEO of the HSE, is currently focused on overseeing and driving delivery of this year’s Action Plan.
The most critical health priority for 2023 is to ensure the full delivery of a new Waiting List Action Plan which is currently being developed. It will include: short-term measures to address acute scheduled care waiting list backlogs; priority actions in relation to Obesity/Bariatrics, Spina Bifida/Scoliosis and Gynaecology; as well longer-term reforms to enhance capacity and streamline and reconfigure acute scheduled care pathways.
For 2023, funding of €443 million has been allocated to tackle Waiting Lists. This includes:
- €123 million in funding for delivery of the Waiting List Action Plan, including priority areas such as Obesity/Bariatrics, Spina Bifida/Scoliosis and Gynaecology, as well as progressing longer-term reforms to sustainably enhance capacity. Other actions in the Action Plan will streamline and reconfigure care pathways.
- €150 million for the NTPF to procure additional capacity to reduce waiting lists.
- €90m for additional short-term measures to address acute scheduled care waiting list backlogs.
- €80m for other measures in community and primary care, including to ensure maintenance of full population access for 2023 to GP-Access-to-Diagnostics scheme - €47m for 2023, building on €50m this year and €25m in 2021.
The 2023 Plan will continue our focus on maintaining momentum in reducing waiting lists and waiting times through our multi-annual approach.
Primary Care Services
Ceisteanna (93)
Robert Troy
Ceist:93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to improve and expand primary care services in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61181/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The development of primary care services – alongside social and community care more broadly – is central to this Government's determination to deliver a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system.
In addition to annual funding of €195 million allocated in Budget 2022 for the recruitment of staff to the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, a further €13.8 million was allocated in Budget 2023 to Primary Care for new developments, including for the continued roll out of Programme.
The ECC programme includes a number of elements which will enhance and expand the delivery of primary care services in the community. Amongst other initiatives, the funding will allow for the recruitment of some 3,500 additional staff, the rollout of 96 Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs), and the provision of 30 Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Older Persons, and 30 Community Specialist Teams for the Management of Chronic Diseases.
To date, 2,133 staff have been on-boarded to the ECC, with 325 at an advanced stage of recruitment, a total of 2,458.2 WTEs (70% of overall recruitment), with 91 CHNs in place, 21 CSTs for Older Persons and 18 CSTs for Chronic Disease now operational.
We continue to develop new, state of the art Primary Care Centres (PCCs) to support the provision of the very highest standards of primary care. There are now 160 PCCs open nationwide, and 12 are due to become operational over the course of 2023.
In addition, several measures pertaining to General Practice will be implemented or expanded upon in 2023. As announced, Budget 2023 will increase the eligibility of people for General Practice (GP) access cards. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 and engagements with the IMO, representing GPs, are ongoing with the intention of introducing this service as early as possible.
Furthermore, from 1 April 2023, eligibility will be extended to people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. Further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of this income-based expansion. It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices.
The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme, which involves the ongoing monitoring of patients’ conditions, commenced in 2020 and has now been substantially rolled out. The final extension of the CDM programme will commence in 2023 and will see the Opportunistic Case Finding and Preventative components of the programme extended from eligible patients aged 65 years and over to eligible patients aged 45 and over.
The nationwide GP Access to Diagnostics programme began accepting referrals in January 2021, through the allocation of €25m in funding to provide a structured programme which facilitates direct referral by General Practitioners to diagnostic radiology services for their patients.
This enables a greater level of care to be delivered in the community, supporting patient-centred care, early diagnosis, and early intervention. Expansion of existing public hospital and laboratory services to provide GPs with a direct referral pathway for other diagnostic services (Echocardiography, Spirometry and NT-proBNP blood tests) is also targeted through this initiative, with funding allocated to operationalise these services in 2023.
These investments and reforms are a demonstration of the commitment to shift the model of healthcare towards more comprehensive and accessible primary and community care service provision, in order to deliver better care closer to people’s home in communities across the country.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (94)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:94. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the work carried out by a person (details supplied) on the report into the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act) 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Health commenced the Review of the operation Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 in line with statutory and Government commitments. The Review is assessing the effectiveness of the operation of the legislation and will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The Review is being led by an independent Chair Marie O’Shea and comprises of 2 main phases. As part of the first phase of the review, information, and evidence on the operation of the Act has been collected from women who use the service, and from health professionals that provide the service; the views of the public were also sought.
A very substantial amount of work has been completed and very informative data collected that is feeding into the Review.
As the review is reaching its final stages unfortunately there has been a slight set back on the completion date due to the Chair being unwell in November. The Chair is also awaiting key research from a study, CORALE, being carried out at Trinity College Dublin, that is examining Section 22 of the Act regarding conscientious objection. This research is underway, with input from lawyers, hospital doctors, GPs and strategic managers. The data will inform the Review. However, this data will not be available until January 2023. The opinion of the Chair is that this data is vitally important, given that it will assist in understanding how section 22 is operating.
The Review will be made available to the Minister no later than the 7 February 2023.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (95)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:95. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will cancel the planned closure of the emergency department at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan given the pressure within the health service; and if a feasibility study will be carried out to identify the financial and human resources necessary to allow the emergency department at the hospital to operate safely for both patients and staff and to play its part in alleviating accident and emergency pressure throughout the region. [61087/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Our Lady's Hospital Navan and has advised that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis and are driven first and foremost by patient safety considerations.
No decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the Emergency Department at Navan has been agreed by me or by government.
While recognising the very real clinical concerns identified, the Government is clear that several important issues, including additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care, would need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE.
For this reason, I have asked the HSE to undertake a review of capacity. The review has been received and is currently under consideration and engagement in relation to this matter is ongoing.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (96)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in recruiting much-needed therapists for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan to provide treatment for children who have had an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61186/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (97)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:97. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment and recruitment of a full-time paediatric dietician to the child and adolescent mental health services at Arden House in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61246/22]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (98)
David Stanton
Ceist:98. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the operation of the treatment abroad scheme; his plans to improve and streamline the operation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. In terms of on-going operation of the scheme the HSE, as with other EU Member States, operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme under the EU Regulations and Guidelines.
The TAS is a consultant lead scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:
- among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
- not available in Ireland;
- not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
- medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
- a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
- provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
- is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (99)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:99. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he expects the HSE to reach its target of over 130,000 net reduction in waiting lists per the 2022 waiting list action plan; the net reduction and addition in the year to date in 2022 ; the project outturn for the full year 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) launched in February is the first year of a multi-annual approach to reducing waiting lists and waiting times in line with strategic Sláintecare targets and reforms. The €350m funding allocated to the HSE and NTPF this year has been primarily focused on providing additional public and private activity to reduce waiting list backlogs that were exacerbated during the pandemic, but also to lay the foundations for important multi-annual reforms that will deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists.
However, as a result of significant challenges from continued COVID-19 surges, emergency department pressures and other operational factors, including hiring, the ambitious WLAP targets for significantly reducing hospital scheduled care waiting lists (by 18% to their lowest level in five years) as well as radically reducing waiting times (98% of all patients on active waiting lists to wait less than 18 months for their first outpatient appointment and less than 12 months for their procedure) will not be met this year.
Full reporting on the 2022 WLAP, including net reduction and addition figures, will be finalised before year-end.
Despite the challenges, our hospitals have delivered improvements which are making a real difference to patients. For example, overall waiting list numbers have reduced by approximately 2% in the year to date, and long waiters have reduced significantly in the year to date (figures as of 27 October):
- People waiting longer than 12 months for a GI Scope have reduced by 3.2k (78%)
- People waiting longer than 12 months for an inpatient / day case procedure have reduced by 2.6k (15%)
- People waiting longer than 18 months for an outpatient appointment have reduced by 38.7k (25%).
Additionally, patients waiting more than 6 months for 15 ‘high volume procedures’, including cataracts, hips and knees, who are clinically suitable, are on target to be authorised by the NTPF to be offered treatment in 2022; and over 57,000 additional diagnostics have been delivered (significantly exceeding original end-year target of 30,000). Over 5,600 people, the majority of whom are children, have been removed from community waiting lists across the areas of orthodontics, primary care child psychology, and counselling.
€123m funding has been allocated to the HSE in Budget 2023 that will be made available on a recurring basis to ensure these reforms deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists and ensure we achieve the strategic Sláintecare maximum wait time targets. An additional €240m once-off funding was also allocated in Budget 2023 for the NTPF and HSE to continue tackling waiting list backlogs. The 2023 Plan to utilise this funding is being developed and will continue to focus on building momentum and reducing waiting lists and times through our multi-annual approach.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 85.