Written Answers Nos. 282-301
282. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made following a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5092/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made without a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5093/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
284. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made following a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by St John's Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5094/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
285. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made without a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by St John's Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5095/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
286. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made following a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the National Maternity Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5096/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
287. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made without a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the National Maternity Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5097/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
288. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made following a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by Coombe Women's Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5098/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
289. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made without a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by Coombe Women's Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5099/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
290. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made following a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the Rotunda Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5100/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
291. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the awards made without a tender process to management consultancy firms, by firm, by the Rotunda Hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [5101/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
292. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when comprehensive supports, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and physiotherapy, will be provided by the children's disability network team for a child (details supplied), in view of the fact that it is proven that high-quality early intervention has a profound positive effect on outcomes for children with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5106/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
293. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the total number of Irish patients suffering from sleep apnoea in the State, by HSE CHO area, in tabular form. [5107/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
294. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish patients who are waiting for a sleep disorder screening appointment, by HSE CHO area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5108/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who are waiting for sleep disorder care (details supplied); and the average waiting time for such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5109/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic and the current pressures on Emergency Departments.The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system. The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan set targets to reduce both the number of people waiting for care and the length of time they are waiting. Positive progress was made in 2022 in relation to both targets, despite negative impacts throughout the year on scheduled care from continued COVID-19 surges, emergency department pressures and other operational factors, including staff hiring. In 2022, there were c.1.56m patients removed from the Waiting list and c.1.53m patients added to the waiting list – a net reduction of c.30k (4%). Long waiters were significantly reduced in 2022: the number of patients exceeding the 18-month maximum wait time target for new outpatient (OPD) appointments target decreased by c.59.0k (38.5%) and the number of patients exceeding the 12-month maximum wait time target for in-patient day case (IPDC) procedures and GI Scopes has decreased by c3.8k (22.6%) and c.3.5k (86.5%) respectively.Through the 2022 Plan, €350m funding was allocated to the HSE and the NTPF to provide additional public and private activity to reduce the waiting list backlogs that were exacerbated during the Pandemic, but also as the first stage of an ambitious multi annual approach, to lay the foundations for important reforms that will deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists.For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists, some €360m of which is targeted at acute hospital waiting lists. The plan to utilise this part of the funding is being developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE and NTPF. This will include details of new capacity planned for 2023 as well as important reforms that will improve capacity in the public hospital system.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), outlines the number of patients waiting for an Inpatient/Day Case appointment for sleep disorder testing at the end of December 2022. The data shows the number of patients waiting by acute hospital group and by time-band. The data is further broken down by active, pre-admit and suspended categories
The NTPF has advised my Department that outpatient data only provides the number of patients waiting by specialty and does not provide a breakdown of the number of patients awaiting a consultation relating to a sleep disorder.
The NTPF only collects data on patients currently on the waiting list. The time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. As a result, the health system does not have the data necessary to calculate true average wait times.
296. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health following the failure to bring in the GP card for children of ages six and seven years as promised in 2022, if he will provide an update in relation to this; and if he will ensure that this is introduced as a matter of urgency. [5114/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and the HSE have made preparations for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7. Engagements with the IMO, representing GPs, in relation to the necessary fee structures 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. It will be adjusted for people living alone and for those with children; further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of the income-based expansion. It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices.
297. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if staff within an organisation (details supplied) are eligible for the pandemic bonus payment given the essential service they provided throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5118/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
- Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
- Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
- Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
- Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
Agency roles working in the HSE;
Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment. The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible frontline workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February this year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
298. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when it is anticipated that consideration of the method of implementing the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery is expected to be completed; and if he plans to communicate to relevant stakeholders how those recommendations will be implemented. [5120/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I published the Report on the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery in March 2022. I have accepted all 47 recommendations and their implementation will address identified pay anomalies, support nurses and midwives to continue to learn and develop in professional roles, enable significant reform and delivery of Sláintecare priorities.
I have approved a process to oversee the implementation of the 47 recommendations and this is being led by the Chief Nursing Officer. The Expert Review Body Implementation Oversight Team includes key stakeholder representation and its work is progressing on the many priority recommendations identified.
These priorities include review and reform of the undergraduate training programme to deliver more capacity, alignment of the curriculum with delivering integrated nursing and midwifery care, increasing postgraduate training in community care and increasing care through digital solutions as well as recruitment and retention.
The latest update clarifies that work priorities have been agreed and stakeholder groups are being established to develop action plans with associated timelines. This information will be made available to relevant stakeholders in due course.
299. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to extend prescribing authority to GPs for the nausea drug, cariban, which presently is planned to only be prescribed by consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5126/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, I announced €32.2 million in funding for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023, to include dedicated funding for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine). The dedicated funding for Cariban® will help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, during pregnancy. Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product, i.e., it is not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland.
The Health Service Executive (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.
Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, Cariban® is now available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria under the community drug schemes – the General Medical Services scheme (GMS) and the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) – where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.
Under the community drug schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. However, whilst the original prescriber of Cariban® must be a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription subsequent to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.
300. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide waiting list figures for CAMHS services in CHO 3 and CHO5; the number of children waiting 0-3, 3-6, 6-12 months, and over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5173/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
301. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason that fully-operational specialist eating disorder teams are not available in CHO3 and CHO5; if he will provide data on the staffing of each of the teams nationally, including staffing vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
