Catherine Connolly
Ceist:101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for a new model 4 hospital in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7237/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (101)
Freagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for her question, as the Deputy will be aware I fully support developments at Galway University Hospital, which comprises both University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital.
One such project is the Emergency Department and Women & Children’s block which will address the issues with current accommodation at the hospital, a huge development with 7 floors which will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities for patients and staff. Enabling works are expected to commence during 2023.
A proposal for a new Cancer Care Centre at GUH has now been submitted to the HSE, and funding for progressing the evaluation is allocated in this year’s Capital Plan. This facility will provide up-to-date facilities for cancer services at GUH, which is the designated cancer centre for the Saolta region.
A new elective hospital at the Merlin Park site was approved by Government in December last year which will treat over 175,000 patients annually. A new six-floor medical laboratory development at UHG is at appraisal stage, and this will provide integrated access to lab facilities across hospital and community services. My own view is that additional bed capacity is also needed at GUH, and I understand that a proposal is being drafted by the hospital currently for a 72 bed development.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (102)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:102. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department intends to follow through on the Programme for Government’s clear commitment to publish a successor plan of the National Rare Disease Plan 2014 – 2018; the reason for the delay in prioritising all remaining actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government and I are fully committed to doing everything possible to assist people living with a rare disease.
I intend to bring forward a successor plan to the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018. However, there is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic slowed our progress up until now.
Nonetheless, various actions have been implemented and significant resources invested in this area in recent years.
Principal among those actions was the establishment of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and a National Rare Disease Office.
Last year the HSE was nominated as the National Competent Authority in an EU Joint Action of European Reference Networks for Rare Diseases, which enables greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing.
As a result of this collaboration, we have entered in 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) on Rare Diseases. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities and is coordinated by the National Rare Disease Office. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. Through the European Reference Networks, the National Rare Disease Office is leading out on the development of optimal care pathways across a range of rare diseases.
In terms of medicines for rare diseases, I have during my term of office significantly increased the level of funding available for new innovative medicines including medicines for rare diseases; a combined €100 million in the last three Budgets. Over one hundred new medicines have been approved including thirty-four for orphan medicines that are used to treat rare diseases. However, I accept that a new Plan is needed.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (103)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:103. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will re-evaluate the way in which suicidal patients who present to accident and emergency departments are triaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7733/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm or Suicidal Ideation (NCPSHI) has been delivered in emergency departments (EDs) since 2014 for individuals presenting following self-harm or with suicidal ideation. The Clinical Programme has an associated Model of Care (MOC) which was published by the HSE in 2016, and subsequently updated in February 2022. The Model of Care was developed following an extensive review of best international practice and key stakeholder engagement, in collaboration with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. The most recent revision of the Model of Care builds on learning to date, setting out specific pathways of care, and extending the Model to the community via Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses.
The extension of this Model of Care to Tallaght University Hospital in March 2023 will see this service operating in all 26 Emergency Departments (EDs) with 24-hour services. This will ensure the provision of appropriate services nationwide and represents progressive investment in mental health service improvement, aligned with our national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy, Connecting for Life.
The Model of Care has resulted in a clinical framework being established nationwide to ensure that any person presenting to the ED following self-harm or with suicidal ideation receives a compassionate, empathic, validating response involving a therapeutic assessment and intervention from a suitably trained mental health professional reflective of international best practice. The Model of Care emphasises the importance of ensuring the involvement of family members or a supportive adult (where appropriate) in assessment and safety planning, and that the individual is linked to appropriate next-care.
It is important to note that all presentations to EDs are triaged by emergency medicine nurses. Relevant individuals presenting intentional self-harm or suicidal ideation are referred to mental health Clinical Nurse specialists and/or Mental Health Liaison teams, as per the MOC associated with the NCPSHI programme. Consultant Psychiatrists, Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists and non-Consultant Hospital Doctors deliver the programme, with CHO Area Management Teams ensuring its full implementation.
To date, the appointment of 49 dedicated Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists funded by the NCPSHI across 25 EDs (open 24/7) and in the 3 paediatric EDs in Dublin has contributed to a significantly improved response for people with self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (104)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure, without further delay, that there is equal treatment of private nursing homes in relation to subvention payments as the present system is unfair and is causing serious difficulties for some small-scale nursing home providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7649/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department acknowledges that there are differences in the cost of care between public and private nursing homes.
Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria such as costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home, local market prices, historic prices and overall budgetary capacity. The NTPF has statutory independence in this process.
Rates for public nursing homes are set based on historic costs and available resources, according to a list of eligible expense categories agreed by the Oireachtas.
The cost for the resident does not change whether they are in a public or a private home.
The Value for Money (VFM) review published in 2021 report clearly showed that this cost differential is driven by a higher level of staffing in public nursing homes, with a higher nursing ratio per resident and a different skill mix to private nursing homes. The HSE is staffed at a level that allows delivery of more complex care where required, according to its responsibility as provider of last resort.
The review made 9 recommendations, including agreement of the safe staffing and skill mix framework, rollout of the InterRAI tool for assessing dependency, and a review and audit of certain public nursing homes. The Department is taking these forward.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (105)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:105. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a charity (details supplied) recently called for additional resources to reduce very long waiting lists for preventative surgery for women at high risk of cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7663/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Cancer Control Programme will shortly commence an active data collection at the locations currently providing preventative surgeries for people at high risk of developing cancer. This review will focus on patient activity and available resources.
In terms of broader supports for patients at high risk of developing cancer, the National Cancer Strategy provides for the further development of a programme for hereditary cancers. This will ensure that evaluation, counselling, testing and risk reduction interventions are available as appropriate, and that services are available to patients on the basis of need.
Additional funding of €40m allocated to the Cancer Strategy in 2021 and 2022 has included €1.1m investment in cancer genetics services, including:
- Recruitment of 12 staff to cancer genetics services.
- Development of GP referral guidelines for breast family history.
- Completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration, focused on the identification and assessment of those with possible hereditary cancer risk, developed with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of those with a BRCA gene alteration.
- Planning for consent training for health care professionals delivering mainstream BRCA testing.
- An Advisory Group for Hereditary Cancer which is working to develop a framework model of care for hereditary cancer services, incorporating the identification of those with an inherited cancer predisposition and their ongoing management.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (106)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:106. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) have recently renewed their call for a public inquiry into Covid deaths in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7666/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to again express my sympathy to all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic.
Since the start of the pandemic, the national response has continuously evolved to take account of emerging evidence and learnings both nationally and internationally. Throughout, this has included a specific focus on older people, in particular, those resident in nursing homes.
Significant supports were put in place for nursing homes, and the situation at both a local and a national level was kept under ongoing and active review. An independent Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established early in the pandemic to examine the management of COVID-19 in nursing homes and provide real-time learnings and recommendations to inform the ongoing response. The Expert Panel reported in August 2020 and significant progress has been made in implementing its recommendations.
The Taoiseach has indicated that a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will be established in 2023. It will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic and it will help ensure that we are in a better, stronger position if another pandemic or another similar type emergency arrives.
The Minister for Health has already stated that a review of the management and impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes is warranted. Given the Taoiseach’s most recent commitments to establish a COVID-19 evaluation process in 2023, it is appropriate that any review of the experience in nursing homes should be considered in the first instance as part of this proposed process. The model for this process is under consideration.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (107)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:107. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the delivery of an extension to A&E at Mayo University Hospital as a project that can be delivered on an accelerated programme given its importance to the people of Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7724/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank Deputy Dillion for giving me the opportunity to provide an update to the House.
Provision has been made in the Capital Programme 2023 to progress an extension to the emergency department (ED) at Mayo University Hospital.
The current project scope provides for seven new assessment and treatment spaces in the ED.
A new first floor Medical Assessment Unit will also be constructed, which will provide an additional ten assessment spaces for unscheduled care services.
In 2022, a design team was appointed, and progressed the preliminary design.
The preliminary design report, which takes into account particular issues associated with existing services on the site, was submitted to the HSE for review.
The preliminary design review has now been completed. The project is progressing to the next stage of development.
Due to the anticipated costs of this important project, it is necessary for a Strategic Assessment Report to be prepared in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.
A timescale for delivery cannot be provided at this early stage, as the delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process, subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, environmental and planning approvals, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
I can also confirm that works associated with the replacement of the existing CT Scanner at Mayo University Hospital are underway. The proposed works for this project include the construction of a building extension to house the new CT Scanner.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (108)
Mark Ward
Ceist:108. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the supports that are in place for a parent and their child who is waiting for an assessment of needs; the average waiting time for assessment of needs by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As per the Disability Act, 2005 the aim of Assessment of Need (AON) is to identify whether a person has a disability, to identify needs arising from that disability as well as what services are required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an AON to access health services.
6,755 applications for AON were received in 2022. This represents the highest number of applications received since Part 2 of the Act commenced in June 2007. Of these, the HSE advise that (at end 2022) 4,613 applications are overdue for completion. The numbers for these overdue applications per Community Health Organisation are:
CHO1 - 191
CHO2 - 77
CHO3 - 260
CHO4 - 665
CHO5 - 208
CHO6 - 271
CHO7 – 1,321
CHO8 - 353
CHO9 – 1,267
The current delays in accessing AON relate directly to vacancies across the CDNT network. This issue is being actively progressed by the HSE to maximise funding allocated in recent years for over 600 additional posts.
The HSE has also been allocated funding in Budget 2023 to facilitate additional assessments through a suite of measures including;
- Establishment of dedicated AON assessment teams
- Private procurement & overtime initiatives for staff.
- Recruitment of administrative resources to free up therapists to assist with AONs.
Notwithstanding these challenges, significant work is ongoing, with approximately 35,000 children currently accessing services and supports provided by Children’s Teams.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (109)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:109. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the findings of the abortion review without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7651/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Health commenced the Review of the operation of the 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 to date and very informative data collected, which is feeding into the review.
The final Report of the Review is expected to be submitted to the Minister before the end of February.
The Report will then be considered by the Minister and published as soon as possible thereafter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (110)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:110. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has received a work plan from the NTPF on its waiting list initiative plans for 2023; and if he will indicate the key targets. [6760/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, the HSE and NTPF are engaging to develop the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan as the next stage of our multi-annual approach to reducing and reforming waiting lists.
The 2023 Plan builds on the foundational work delivered through the short-term Waiting List Action Plan from September - December 2021, and on improvements achieved through the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan.
As a result of interventions, total acute scheduled care waiting lists decreased in 2022 by 4.1%. This followed the reduction of 5.4% delivered through the initial short-term Plan.
The 2023 Plan allocates €363 million to address acute scheduled care waiting lists, including:
- €240 million in non-recurrent funding to the NTPF and HSE to continue providing additional public and private activity to maintain the momentum of further reducing waiting times and clear the waiting list backlogs exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- €123 million in recurrent funding to the HSE to implement modernised care pathways and to sustainably close the capacity gaps in specialties and hospitals that create unacceptably long scheduled care waiting lists and times
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan will be published shortly. The actions to be progressed this year and the projected targets are currently being finalised. However, it is important to note that NTPF activity is not dependent on the finalisation of this plan, and the NTPF continues to arrange appointments and procedures for patients, with significant numbers of authorisations already issued so far this year.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (111)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:111. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the following in relation to cervical check screening, the percentage of tests currently carried out abroad as a percentage of the overall programme by year since 2020; the date on which he expects the Coombe facility to be fully staffed and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7626/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new National Cervical Screening Laboratory (NCSL) at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital is now operational. I was pleased to recently visit the new facility which has received €20 million funding for construction, fit-out and staffing. I have provided further funding in 2023 for the ongoing recruitment of specialist staff for the new laboratory. Over time, it is anticipated that the new laboratory will become the principal provider of cervical screening for the National Screening Service and become a national centre of excellence for cervical screening, as well as education, training and research.
Processing of screening tests for the CervicalCheck programme at the Coombe were paused in December 2021 following a cyberattack at the hospital, but initial processing of tests for the programme re-started in December 2022.
Importantly CervicalCheck services were not affected by the situation at the Coombe, as the main contracted laboratory Quest Diagnostics has been providing testing for 100% of samples over the past year.
CervicalCheck is currently operating normally and is up to date with invitations for screening; by the end of 2021 they had screened the same number as in any other two-year period.
Prior to the cyber-attack, the Coombe was processing approx. 10% of samples. The National Screening Service advise it is planned to get back to 10% of the overall number being processed at the Coombe within the first quarter of 2023, with further increases expected throughout the year.
The HSE advise that recruitment for the NSCL is a priority, and a workforce plan is being implemented by the HSE, which is working with the Faculty of Pathology to build the required expertise. Recruitment is ongoing for essential roles in cytopathology, virology and medical scientists which are funded and supported by the Department. The HSE currently estimate that will take at least five years to recruit and train the necessary number of specialists to enable the NCSL become the principal screening laboratory for CervicalCheck.
Dr Scally’s final report, which was published in November 2022, highlighted the achievement of the new Lab and he noted that an “excellent system of Quality Assurance for laboratories” is now in place. Dr Scally also said “it will be essential to have at least two providers of laboratory services” to ensure continuity of service and mitigate risks from having just one provider".
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (112)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:112. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the uptake of the third Covid-19 booster vaccine. [7765/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness, and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
More than 1.1 million persons have boosted their immunity by receiving a booster dose (first, second or third) since the Autumn/Winter programme commenced on 15 August. As of 12 February, 397,344 people have received a third COVID-19 booster dose, over 41% of approved cohorts. The performance of the booster programme compares favourably to other Member States and Ireland currently ranks first in the EU for third boosters to the 60+ Population.
The NIAC has recommended a third mRNA booster for people aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (113)
Martin Browne
Ceist:113. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is committed to continuing with the development of a new community nursing unit on the site of St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary; to provide details of the work carried out to date and the work that is scheduled to take place; the plans for the residents that were transferred from St, Patricks to Our Lady’s under a three agreement in 2020; if there are plans to extend this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7719/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (114, 171, 372)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:114. 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. [7664/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Joe Carey
Ceist:171. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to the health technology assessment which is underway since the 21 December 2022 on the drug kaftrio for the cohort of 35 children aged 6 to 11 years with certain mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7271/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
James Browne
Ceist:372. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the NCPE’s assessment of the HTA in respect of securing the drug kaftrio for 35 children who benefit from its use and the HSE’s ongoing discussions with the drug producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7802/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 171 and 372 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, 112 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, have been funded. This has included 35 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.
As Vertex are seeking additional funds to cover this group, a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) had to be completed by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE has now completed a full assessment and their report has been received by the HSE. The HSE's Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. CPU have scheduled a meeting with Vertex to discuss their application and recommendation(s) received from the NCPE for Kaftrio.
I am glad to see progress on this issue, and hope that it can be quickly brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (115)
David Stanton
Ceist:115. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health when he expects free GP health care to be extended to those aged six and seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6665/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My 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.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (116, 151)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:116. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of HSE elective hospitals as per the recommendations of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7767/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Colm Burke
Ceist:151. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that his Department and the HSE have now appointed a team to design the new elective hospital in Cork; if he will confirm when the plans will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7708/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 151 together.
On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the next stage of the Enhanced Provision of Elective Care Programme and progression of the development of new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway (with Dublin to follow in due course). The new Elective Hospitals will provide significant additional capacity, enabling the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care. This will change the way in which day cases, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged across the country, ensuring greater capacity in the future and helping to address waiting times.The next phase of the Programme requires the preparation of site-specific project briefs, a procurement strategy, and detailed pre-tender business cases to progress to ‘Pre-tender Approval’ at Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code for Cork and Galway. Key tasks for developing these documents have been established and include consideration of governance arrangements for national and local elements of the Elective Hospitals Programme. Once finalised by the HSE, the governance arrangements will reflect the need for national consistency in clinical, operational and building design along with Hospital Groups’ involvement to ensure local ownership of delivery.Design teams for the new Elective Hospitals will be appointed following completion of the design of clinical and operational models. Once appointed, the Design teams will work to key design principles. The HSE is currently considering approaches to design and construction which might reduce the time required for this and other infrastructure work. This approach includes standardised design optimised (digital twin) for the manufacturing of repeatable units, off-site manufacturing at scale, final assembly, and commissioning on site.The Preliminary Business Case for Dublin is currently being finalised. Following the required internal and external assurance processes it will be submitted for Government approval in due course.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (117)
Joe Carey
Ceist:117. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will lend his support to locating the proposed surgical hub for the mid-west region at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7270/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is currently planning for the establishment of Surgical Hubs to assist in delivering elective care to patients across the country. These will be modelled on the successful Reeves Centre at Tallaght University Hospital which has significantly reduced waiting times for certain day-case procedures.Planning by the HSE for the Surgical Hubs includes considering the context for the Hubs, such as the scope and typical scale of services to be included, deliverables and timescales for the work, the proposed model of care, and an approach, in broad terms, to completing the work. While no decisions have yet been taken on sites for the new surgical hubs, the Government noted at its meeting on 7 December last that the HSE would work with hospital groups to progress these hubs in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Dublin.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (118)
Colm Burke
Ceist:118. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health in view of recent security breaches at Irish hospitals, such as the Mercy Hospital Cork, the new security measures that have been put in place to ensure that this does not occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7709/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting response from the Department.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (119)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:119. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he plans to establish a carer's commission to address the issues being experienced by family carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government recognises the vital role that family carers play in the provision of care in Ireland. Whether caring for a child or a parent with a disability or illness or an elderly family member, carers, through their selfless hard work, knowledge and compassion enhance the quality of life of the most vulnerable in our society.
Government policy on family carers is set out in the 2012 National Carers' Strategy which provides the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government departments and agencies for carers. The Strategy is designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and participate as fully as possible in economic and social life. Oversight of the Strategy is led by my Department, with individual Government Departments leading on action areas that fall within their remit.
At present there are no plans to establish a carers’ commission to address the issues being experienced by family carers. However, Government Departments are implementing a variety of measures to support family carers in their caring role. Financial supports for family carers such as Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Support Grant and Domiciliary Care Allowance fall under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In addition, the Department of Social Protection organises an annual Carers' Forum, which officials from the Department of Health and other Departments attend, to listen to the concerns voiced by carers at first hand.
In the area of health, for which I am directly responsible, new funding of €2 million was provided in Budget 2021 under the National Carers’ Strategy to improve equity of access to supports for carers across the country. This funding is a first step towards delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a Carers’ Guarantee, providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector. €1.9 million of this funding is being channelled through Family Carers Ireland for the delivery of a broad range of supports to carers, while the remaining €100,000 is supporting the development and delivery of online supports through Care Alliance Ireland.
In addition, the HSE is currently piloting a Family Carers' Needs Assessment (FCNA) in Community Healthcare West over a two-year period from September 2021. The pilot is testing the implementation of the FCNA with 100 family carers across a variety of care groups including carers of people with dementia, older people, people with physical and sensory disability and those with mental health issues. It is looking at how caring affects the family carer, how much care they can realistically provide while still allowing for involvement in other activities, and, crucially, how any needs identified can be addressed. The FCNA is being piloted in conjunction with Family Carers Ireland.
To address the health- and social care-specific needs of family carers, the HSE has developed a family carers’ support page on its website at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/carerssupport/. In addition, Family Carers Ireland, which receives funding from the State, provides a variety of supports and operates a freephone helpline for family carers (1800 24 07 24).
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (120)
Frankie Feighan
Ceist:120. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a two-year waiting list for MRI with sedation for children in Dublin. [6289/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that there are currently 997 patients waiting for an MRI under general anaesthetic, with the average length of time spent on the waiting list 18.3 months.
CHI historically have had two MRI scanners – one on the Temple Street site and one on the Crumlin site.
CHI have recently established two additional MRI units to address the capacity challenges for children on their waiting lists. The construction for the second MRI in Crumlin is now completed and the MRI is in the process of being commissioned. The second MRI in Temple Street is in place and is currently operational.
CHI has further advised that there is a National shortage of radiographers which is creating challenges for CHI in terms of fully realising the capacity of the additional MRI’s, however recruitment is ongoing with shortlisting for interviews scheduled in the coming weeks.
CHI continues to make full use of 3rd party outsourcing providers to accommodate routine scans, which is an ongoing initiative.