Written Answers Nos. 392-404
392. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for a patient between triage and access to doctor in all accident and emergency departments throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/23]
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.
393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he remains satisfied that reimbursement in respect of new and orphan drugs and other emergency drugs is sufficiently speedy and capable of meeting the demand; if he has identified any shortcomings; if so, when these will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7964/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I was appointed Minister for Health, I have prioritised funding for medicines which has resulted in €98 million of funding dedicated to new medicines. This additional funding has provided access to 112 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, 35 of which were for the treatment of rare diseases.
I also secured two new Framework Agreements with industry which provide for sustainable access over the next four years and that will free up funding to pay for more innovative medicines.
During my term of office, I have introduced a significant number of changes to improve the process, including the introduction of additional number of Drugs Group slots by the HSE to consider applications, provide additional funding for posts in the Managed Medicines Programme, and Ireland joined the International Horizon Scanning Initiative (IHSI), a key tool to improve the speed of the HTA assessment.
Of course, I accept that the process can be further improved, and I want the process to be more transparent for patients and all stakeholders, and opened up to greater patient involvement and scrutiny.
I have already asked the HSE to bring forward proposals supporting a number of these improvements, and my officials are in a process of engagement with their HSE counterparts with a view to introducing other measures to streamline the process.
395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to augment child and adult mental health services in CH07; if the precise measures deemed to be necessary are being taken forthwith; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7966/23]
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.
396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of active recruitment campaigns for positions within CH07; when he expects such campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7967/23]
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.
397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants for medical cards granted in the past twelve months to date; the number refused or under investigation in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7968/23]
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.
398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which all hospital building proposals are sufficiently in hand to meet the urgent demand in all hospitals throughout the country; the progress of each project in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the programme for the provision of primary care centres throughout County Kildare having regard to those already in operation, those planned and approved or those pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7970/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, I have asked the HSE to reply to the deputy as soon as possible.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which it is intended to ensure that primary care centres are provided throughout County Kildare with particular reference to growing population centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7971/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, I have asked the HSE to reply to the deputy as soon as possible.
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he hopes to set up an emergency management team to deal with overcrowding and hospital accident and emergency departments, with particular reference to ensuring that the highest possible standards prevail when dealing with the inflow of patients by facilitating their access to emergency treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7972/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are experiencing a very challenging winter, and our EDs are experiencing high levels of attendances and congestion.
My officials and I continue to meet and engage regularly with HSE senior leadership on the ED situation, the on-going implementation of the Winter Plan and to ensure that all that can be done is being done to improve access for patients and support healthcare workers.The Government has provided significant resources to the HSE over the past three years to mitigate the additional pressure on emergency departments throughout the winter period.
This Winter Plan 2022/23 builds on last year’s winter initiatives and aims to deliver additional acute and community bed capacity, increase staffing, and expand integrated care pathways for older people to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure timely discharge from acute hospitals. Key national initiatives such as extended local injury unit hours, expanded GP out-of-hours services, and enhanced GP access to diagnostic services will help more patients to access care without the need to attend an ED. The Winter Plan contains provision for the recruitment of an additional 608 whole-time-equivalent (WTE) staff across the health system. This includes the recruitment of an additional 51 WTE Emergency Medicine Consultants for EDs, and a further 20 WTE Registrars to support these ED consultant posts.
The HSE is also developing a three-year unscheduled care improvement programme to deliver sustainable improvements to unscheduled care, most of which currently occurs in the ED. A key priority of my Department is the improvement of ED Patient Experience Times (PET) and reform of service delivery across the entire health system is a key part of achieving this. My Department is working closely with the HSE on developing this plan, which will be published in due course.
In relation to the particular query raised regarding an emergency management team, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for delay in dealing with the waiting lists of children seeking procedures for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7973/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment and remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) 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 enabling further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital.
The additional activity is targeted at reducing the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida).
As of 30 December, 509 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 380 for the same period in 2019 (a 34% increase), and an increase of 47% compared to 2021. In January, 39 spinal procedures were carried out. This included 9 spinal fusion procedures carried out by Crumlin, two spinal fusions in Cappagh and also includes four spinal fusions outsourced to the private sector. This is an increase of five spinal fusions and seven spinal other procedures when compared to this time last year.
Children’s Health Ireland and Cappagh Kids continue to work to explore new innovative ways of working and develop initiatives to support additional orthopaedic and scoliosis activity.
The hospitals are working together to do as much as possible for patients. As of 30 December, Cappagh completed 549 (non-complex) orthopaedic surgeries and 68 surgeries for Spina Bifida patients transferred from CHI, exceeding the target of 61 for the year.
Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022, corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increase in demand and referrals compared to previous years with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021. CHI believes this is due to a loss of additional capacity elsewhere and latent Covid-19 demand via increased outpatient activity.
Due to an unprecedented increase in demand through ED’s and Urgent Care Centres and the resulting pressure on its hospitals’ capacity, CHI has had to reduce planned elective and routine inpatient admissions, and this will continue over the winter period.
Similar pressures are being experienced and are well documented in paediatric hospitals around Europe, in the US and in adult hospitals in Ireland.
To help reduce the risk of future postponements management and clinicians are working together to implement additional supports needed to address the impact of this increased volume of complex surgeries. Some key areas for action have been identified and include consultant and nursing recruitment (inpatient and higher dependency beds) and improved emergency theatre access.
CHI is currently finalising a plan for 2023 to continue and build on the work done in 2022. €123 million funding was allocated to the HSE in Budget 2023 that will be made available on a recurring basis to ensure the reforms deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists and ensure we achieve the strategic Sláintecare maximum wait time targets. Scoliosis/Spina Bifida is included as one of the priority areas for this funding. An additional €240 million once-off funding was also allocated in Budget 2023 for the NTPF and HSE to continue tackling waiting list backlogs next year.
403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can take steps to counter the difficulties of obtaining and retaining professional staff throughout the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7974/23]
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.
404. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in Dublin south-west or area CHO7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7978/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
