Written Answers Nos. 1419-1438
1419. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ENT surgeons attached to each hospital that is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group as of 10 March 2023, in tabular form. [13355/23]
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.
1420. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of Safe Talk Programmes that were delivered in County Meath in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [13356/23]
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.
1421. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work his Department has engaged in to implement the nine recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13397/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health acknowledges that there are variations in the cost of care across public centres as well as across private nursing homes, with public nursing homes generally having a higher cost of care. In December 2021, the Department published the independently-chaired Value for Money review on nursing home costs. The review found that the cost differential is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes.The VFM Review made nine recommendations which the Department continues to take forward. It should be noted that many of the recommendations from the report were already in progress and overlap with existing workstreams.- Recommendation 1: The establishment of an inter-agency project team to drive the delivery of the recommendations has been partially accepted by the Department. There is a significant degree of overlap with other existing workstreams, many of which were already in progress, especially in regard to implementation of the NTPF Review of the Pricing system for Long-Term Residential Care, and it was essential to avoid duplication of governance and oversight structures. Some workstreams emerging from the review recommendations are being directed from within the appropriate section/units within the Department
- Recommendation 2: the Department has engaged with the NTPF on a range of topics and data useful to inform policy making has been shared by both parties.
- Recommendation 3: The roll out of InterRAI Single Assessment Tool in the community has commenced and is fully operational across four sites. Funding was approved for 128 InterRAI facilitators in 2022 and these roles have been filled in advance of InterRAI being rolled out to long-term residential care.
- Recommendation 4: This is a complex piece of research that will continue throughout 2023. Its objective is to have successfully tested an evidence-based staffing model based on resident need in a number of pilot sites (including private, public and voluntary nursing homes), with a view to evaluating the impact on resident, staff and organisational measures. A National Taskforce, chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer oversees this work and the research is led by Professor Jonathan Drennan, University College Dublin. Work is underway within the Department on the evaluation of a reformed model of service delivery. Findings of an interim service review is currently ongoing. The respective home support and residential care policy teams within the Department are continuing to engage to ensure that developmental work in both sectors is aligned.
- Recommendation 5: Significant progress has been made since the Taskforce was established in February 2021. This is a complex piece of work that will continue throughout 2023. Its objective is to have successfully tested a staffing model based on resident need in all of the 9 sites (including private, public and voluntary nursing homes), with a view to developing national policy and roll out in 2023. In regards to nursing home pilot sites, initial assessments of resident dependency and staffing levels have now been completed, with the following stage of staffing adjustments and evaluation due to take place over the coming months.
- Recommendation 6: Terms of reference for an audit are being developed however the commissioning of this work was momentarily paused in order to allow the HSE conduct a National Bed Register of Community Nursing Units, which has subsequently been completed. It is anticipated that the audit will commence in 2023. Building on this work, a National Working Group is in place for the purpose of determining standardised definitions of bed categories i.e. Rehabilitation/Respite/Transitional Care etc. This will form the foundation of what will influence allocated resources linked to service user acuity going forward. This work is ongoing and forms part of the wider work of the National Community Based Public Residential Care Group as well as the continuous engagement with CHO areas in relation to the drivers of the cost of care specific to each unit and follow up on identified actions relating to specific units.
- Recommendation 7: The HSE has committed to publishing detailed additional information in respect of costs from 2022 onwards. The cost of care increased to from €1,674 per week in 2021 to €1,698 per bed per week in 2022. This 1.4% increase can be attributed to pay increases resulting from the Lansdowne Road Agreement. These costs do not relate to the amount a person will pay towards their care under NHSS (Fair Deal).
- Recommendation 8: This recommendation was partially accepted as workstreams were already in place to provide a suite of home support packages designed to keep minimise the need for long-term residential care for older people for as long as possible. A number of initiatives were put in place in order to support both the discharge of patients from an acute setting and demand from the community, depending on the assessed care needs of the individual client/patient. The impact of these initiatives are currently under review.
- Recommendation 9: The Government is committed to the implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report and the associated timelines for implementation over the short, medium and long term. The Minister for Health established an oversight structure to ensure the implementation of the important recommendations contained in this Report. This encompassed the establishment of both an Implementation Oversight Team and a Reference Group. The recommendations in the Expert Panel report were two-fold in nature: firstly, immediate actions required for the ongoing protection and support for nursing home residents during the pandemic and, secondly, medium- and longer-term recommendations in relation to broader system reforms to enhance and better integrate nursing home care and older persons care more broadly. These recommendations are implicitly considered in the existing reform framework for the NHSS, comprising the recommendations of this review, the Pricing review, the C&AG review and the Programme for Government. Four Expert Panel Reports have been published to date.
1422. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if he will request that UHL is more accommodating with visitors to patients at the hospital given it is causing upset and stress to patients and family members (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13400/23]
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.
1423. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health Further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 1 February 2023, if consideration will be given to a National Feeding Disorders Programme, given feeding disorders fall outside the scope of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; if he plans to provide an inclusive service for children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder who have ASD and can therefore do not fit the criteria for mental health intervention as referenced in the response; if he is aware of this shortcoming in services; the way he intends to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13407/23]
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.
1424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information in relation to the population in acute psychiatric units and the number of long stay residents in the State; the number who have been in units over 2, 3, 5, 10 and over 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13408/23]
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.
1425. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in relation to the site selection process for proposed elective hospitals in Galway, Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13417/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1469. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date with the site selection process for three elective hospitals, one each for Galway, Cork and Dublin which was advertised by the HSE in 2021 under the heading Elective Centre (EC) information and submission process May 2022; if no decision has been made the reason for the nearly two year delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13657/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1425 and 1469 together.
In December 2021, the Government approved the National Elective Ambulatory Strategy to implement a national strategy of elective ambulatory care and to progress capital investment proposals for the establishment and operation of dedicated Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. These new facilities 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.
On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the next stage of the Enhanced Provision of Elective Care Programme and identified preferred sites in Cork and Galway, recommended to be brought forward into the planning phase. These are at St Stephen's Hospital, Sarsfield Court in Cork, and Merlin Park University Hospital in Galway. The locations chosen will enhance capacity and tackle waiting times on a national basis, enabling the Elective Hospitals to cover as wide an area and patient population as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas.
The Preliminary Business Case for Dublin, including site selection, is currently being finalised. Following the required internal and external assurance processes it will be submitted for Government approval in due course.
1426. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health when a drug will be supplied under the drug repayment scheme to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13423/23]
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.
1427. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff that have training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; to what level this training is provided; if this training is provided on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13439/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1428. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the announcement in Budget 2023 that those on income below the median wage would be eligible for a GP medical card; and when this will be activated. [13442/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was announced in Budget 2023 that eligibility for GP Visit Cards is to be extended to people who earn no more than the median household income from April 2023. Income thresholds 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.
My Department and the HSE are currently engaged in intensive talks with the IMO in relation to the roll-out of this provision. The HSE is also engaged in preparations to ensure the practical arrangements necessary for roll-out.
1429. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long on a hospital appointment for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13455/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1430. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the increase to pension under the public service pay agreement which retired nurses have received since 1 January 2020 and are due to receive in 2023. [13465/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that 103 women accessed abortion services in England and Wales in 2021 due to the fact they were not eligible for care under section 11 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpanded termination of pregnancy services commenced on 1st January 2019 and are provided through participating doctors and hospitals throughout the country. However, I am aware statistics reported by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the UK showed that women with Irish addresses continued to access termination of pregnancy services in that jurisdiction in 2021.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 permits terminations to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of a pregnant woman; where there is a condition present likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which published its report and recommendations in December 2017. As the Deputy is aware, prior to the May 2018 Referendum on the 8th Amendment, the General Scheme of the Bill to regulate termination of pregnancy was published. The final legislation enacted is consistent with the published proposals.
I wish to assure the Deputy that it is a priority for my Department that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is performing as it should be, to enable all women in Ireland to access services quickly and easily, without bias or judgement. There has been a substantial reduction in the number of people with Irish addresses availing of termination of pregnancy services in the UK since the enactment of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and the commencement of services.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to facilitate the operation of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
1432. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that participants in a psychology training programme (details supplied) are provided with the same funding and supports as persons pursuing similar programmes. [13467/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.
I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way that benefits all students in all years of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.
Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.
In relation to the question raised, the Deputy may wish to seek the view of the Minister for Education as regards funding opportunities for educational psychologists.
1433. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that private opticians accept medical cards for eye tests. [13468/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.
I am committed to increasing the fees payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS. This is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing to implement this change in 2023.
1434. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [13469/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister can confirm that he has received the Report of the Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
The Report assesses whether services mandated under the Act are being delivered and makes certain recommendations in relation to service improvement.
The Minister will review this comprehensive Report and make the necessary arrangements to submit it for the consideration of the Government.
1435. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date he is working towards for the second stage discussion of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2022. [13470/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy and dignity and his commitment is reflected in the Programme for Government.
Progressing Safe Access Zones legislation is a priority for the Minister, and to this end the General Scheme of a Bill was published in August 2022. Work on the finer detail of the legislation is ongoing and in this regard the Department will continue to engage closely with the Office of the Attorney General, and all relevant stakeholders including An Garda Síochána with a view to addressing any issues that may arise and finalising the bill as expeditiously as possible.
The Minister secured Cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services in July 2022 and published the General Scheme of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy (Safe Access Zones)) in August 2022.
A formal Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Health. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is ongoing, the last hearing was held with Department Officials on 18th January 2023.
1436. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline when the capital funding program the money is being allocated for the development neuro-rehabilitation service centre at University Hospital Waterford (details supplied); the timelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13478/23]
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.
1437. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Crumlin Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13480/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1438. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the biodiversity action plans that are in place for HSE estates or properties under its management in line with Government policy of protecting green spaces and high biodiversity areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
