Written Answers Nos. 1-20
9. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish an occupational injury scheme for healthcare workers with long Covid who were exposed to the virus in their workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61304/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. SLWP provides for paid leave, including full pay, any fixed allowances payable as well as premium payments.
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.
For those who do not meet the criteria for the temporary Scheme but remain unwell, the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme may be utilised.
I am advised by officials from the Department of Social Protection who operate the national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, that Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
It is my understanding that an epidemiological survey is planned by the HSE which will provide insight into the prevalence of long-Covid in the Irish population including risk factors for developing long- Covid. The HSE has also commissioned a review by the Health Information and Quality Authority to assess the latest international evidence on Long Covid.
I am acutely aware of the issues experienced by public health employees in relation to Long Covid and am committed to providing support. I have asked staff in my Department to look at available options.
12. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the children's disability network team for the Finglas area in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61101/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) were established in Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City & County (CHO DNCC / CHO 9) on 20th September 2021.
The focus of CDNT service delivery is child & family centred, enabling the child and family conduct exercises and activities at home that enhance their lives.
Since the CDNTs were established in CHO DNCC, there have been some noticeable improvements in the level of service children and families are receiving. Currently, there are c. 3,678 children’s cases open in the 12 CDNTs across CHO DNCC.
Regarding the Finglas CDNT, this team are experiencing over 50% staff vacancies at this time. In order to reduce waiting times for CDNT services, the HSE and lead agencies continue to explore options to improve access to services. CHO 9 has recently launched a targeted international recruitment campaign for staff grades across disciplines and interviews are ongoing. CHO DNCC Specialist Disability Services are actively recruiting staff and anticipate three WTE clinical grade staff to commence posts with the Finglas CDNT during Quarter 1 2023. In addition, increased administrative support will be provided to the Finglas CDNT to free up clinical staff to provide therapy interventions. Other initiatives include clinical student placements and sponsorship.
There is ongoing engagement with families and service providers to discuss initiatives for service delivery in 2023.
15. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61051/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Implementation Framework for the Neurorehabilitation Strategy was launched on the 20th February 2019, and provides guidance for the development of specialist neurorehabilitation services across the continuum of care – from acute, to post-acute and community services.
The overarching aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway, and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs). The overarching aim is the development of population based MCRN’s around the country.
The community neuro-rehab teams within CHO6 and CHO7 are in the recruitment phase and the plan moving forward, is to roll out these services on a national basis. There is currently no CNRT operational within CHO9, however moving forward with the strategy, the plan will be to create a population-based Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team within this CHO or Regional Health Authority following the implementation of the new Regional Health Areas within Slaintecare.
17. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a local community neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 6 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Implementation Framework for the Neurorehabilitation Strategy was launched on the 20th February 2019, and provides guidance for the development of specialist neurorehabilitation services across the continuum of care – from acute, to post-acute and community services.
The overarching aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway, and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs). The overarching aim is the development of population based MCRN’s around the country.
As part of the MCRN demonstrator project, funding was provided for the establishment of a Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team in CHO 6. The team has been funded for 5 WholeTime Equivalents, as follows: 1 x Senior Physiotherapist, 1 x Senior Occupational Therapist, 1 x Senior Speech and Language Therapist, 1 x Senior Clinical Psychologist, 1 x Administrative Support In CHO 6.
The Community Neuro-rehab Team (CNRT) will be based in Bray, Co Wicklow. Recruitment is imminent.
18. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting lists for orthopaedic and urology surgeries for disabilities which become more painful and inoperable over time; the actions that he is taking to reduce these lists; and if he has met with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61095/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
Children’s Health Ireland is aware that there are vulnerable children with Spina Bifida amongst those waiting unacceptably long times for orthopaedic and other surgery and of the anguish and distress that this is causing.
At the end of October there were 803 patients on CHI's paediatric orthopaedic inpatient day case waiting list. This represents a year to date reduction of 33%. There are 330 patients on the corresponding urology waiting list which represents 12% reduction year to date.
Earlier this year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to implement the plan.
This funding is providing additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enable further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital or Cappagh Kids.
The additional activity is targeted at reducing the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida).
For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists. This includes €123 million in recurrent funding, including priority areas such as Spina Bifida and Scoliosis.
I met with representatives of the group mentioned in February this year where we had a productive meeting.
19. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to improve and expand health services for older people in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61176/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNext year the overall funding available to the HSE for Older Persons will exceed €2.4 billion. This includes nearly €1.1 billion for Fair Deal. This represents an increase an overall increase of 25% since 2020.
I have secured additional investment of almost €12m for new measures next year. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes initiative will be rolled out nationally and the Meals on Wheels service will be expanded at a time when the most vulnerable need these services most. A wide range of core services will be provided for older persons including home support, day care, community supports in partnership with voluntary groups and intermediate care as well as long-stay residential care when remaining at home is no longer feasible.
In line with our Programme for Government commitment the continued expansion of home care hours and progressing development of a statutory scheme for the regulation and financing of home support services is a key priority in 2023. So too, is the establishment of the National Home Support Office. I am pleased to say that the dementia-specific proportion of new home support hours will increase from 5% in 2021 to 15% in 2023.
The National Service Plan 2023 has been submitted for Minister Donnelly’s approval. This is under consideration. Once approved, it must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days. The HSE will then ensure its publication at the earliest possible time.
20. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61027/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Implementation Framework for the Neurorehabilitation Strategy was launched in February 2019, and provides guidance for the development of specialist neurorehabilitation services across the continuum of care – from acute, to post-acute and community services.
The overarching aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway, and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs). The overarching aim is the development of population based MCRN’s around the country.
As part of the MCRN demonstrator project, funding was provided for the establishment of a Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team in CHO 6. The team has been funded for 5 WholeTime Equivalents, as follows: 1 x Senior Physiotherapist, 1 x Senior Occupational Therapist, 1 x Senior Speech and Language Therapist, 1 x Senior Clinical Psychologist, 1 x Administrative Support In CHO 6.
The Community Neuro-rehab Team (CNRT) will be based in Bray, Co Wicklow and recruitment is imminent.
