James O'Connor
Ceist:9. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department has plans to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18205/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (9)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Health recognizes the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the ongoing significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic.
My department is actively considering the potential role that pharmacy may play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare. A number of proposals and ways to progress the potential extension of the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the short, medium and longer term are being scoped out, considered and progressed. Some examples I will outline below;
A proposal for the introduction of a Minor Ailment Scheme this year is currently being scoped. The intention is to enable eligible patients to attend their local community pharmacist for assessment and treatment for a number of identified ailments rather than initially having to attend the GP to obtain a prescription. Work is progressing and the Department has begun discussions with the HSE on the range of conditions to be included in such a Scheme. There will be a need for clinical oversight on those conditions to be included in such a Scheme, including the development of appropriate protocols
The free contraception scheme for women was launched in September 2022, and is currently open to women aged 17-26 who are ordinarily resident in Ireland, and in this context work on developing potential options for an enhanced role for pharmacists through the scheme has therefore commenced. This work is currently being scoped and many requirements are under consideration such as legal basis, training requirements and financial matters.
The Department is currently working to introduce Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) where there is or may be, a serious shortage of a medicine or appliance in Ireland. The Department will engage with Key Stakeholders as this policy is developed.
The Emerging Risks to Pharmacy Workforce project, which will be a multi-annual project has been commenced by the PSI to assess emerging risks to the continued availability of a professional pharmacy workforce within community and hospital pharmacy in Ireland. The Department sits on the Group and has been actively involved in the work to date, a report is being finalised and due to be published in Q2 of 2023. Key policy changes in enhancing the role of the pharmacist are included in the report. The Department looks forward to working with the PSI and other key Stakeholders in implementing accepted policy recommendations.
I am fully aware of the value and importance of Pharmacy Sector in conserving and protecting the health of our citizens. I also realise the many opportunities that Pharmacy can bring to our health sector and am keen to explore and develop these.
Question No. 10 answered orally.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (11)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:11. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs that are directly employed by the HSE; and what steps that are being taken to increase this. [17838/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish model of general practice is based on private practice, and all GPs providing GP services in Ireland currently are private practitioners. The HSE does not directly employ GPs for the provision of GP services.
There are approximately three and a half thousand GPs working in Ireland at the moment. Of these, over 2,500 GPs hold a General Medical Scheme (GMS) contract with the HSE to provide services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. More than 500 further GPs hold contracts with the HSE other than a GMS contract, such as for screening services or vaccinations. About a further 500 GPs work entirely privately, many of these working as locums to provide support to other GPs.
I recognise that there are particular challenges accessing GPs in some parts of the country, often in rural or more deprived areas. While the HSE does not currently directly employ GPs to provide services in these areas, I am open to the looking at whether this would be a solution to access issues.
I attended the IMO conference last weekend and had useful engagements on ideas of how to improve the number of GPs working in Ireland, and my Department and the HSE are engaged with them, with the ICGP, and with other stakeholders to identify short and longer-term solutions.
In the longer-term, we are significantly increasing the number of GP training places, which more than doubled in the ten years to 2022 and will triple to over 350 by 2026. The HSE is also working with the ICGP on a programme to bring in 100 non-EU GPs and allow them to take on GMS contracts after a two-year training period (the normal training period is four years). We are also increasing support for training nurses to increase the supply of practice nurses available.
In cooperation with all of those engaged on general practice, we will find the solutions in the coming years to providing general practice on a basis that meets patient demand and is sustainable for GPs providing services.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (12)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:12. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to improve the waiting times for assessment for gender dysphoria, for gender confirmation surgeries and access to referral for gender confirmation treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18478/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department welcomes the Cass report and will consider the implications and learning. The Department understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated model of care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are underway with the paediatric endocrinology service at CHI and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established for Ireland.
Throughout this process, the HSE will address the waiting times faced by those who wish to access care for gender dysphoria. A key part of this work will see the HSE consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children with gender identity issues.
Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, answered orally.