Written Answers Nos. 1731-1748
1731. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of independent dental practices that signed up to the dental treatment services scheme in each of the past five years, broken down by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18033/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1732. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if there are ongoing discussions with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address any concerns that they have regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18034/23]
View answerIt is a top priority for myself and for the Government to improve patient access to oral healthcare services, both in the short term through a range of measures, and in the long term through transformational reform of oral healthcare services in Ireland. This reform will be achieved through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy.
Officials in my Department engaged with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) prior to the introduction in May last year of a package of measures to expand the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders and increase the fees paid to contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.
The Chief Dental Officer and other officials in the Department of Health met with the IDA on 29 July 2022 and 2 December 2022 to discuss implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. I look forward to meeting the IDA on 24th April to discuss a number of issues including dental services for medical card holders.
1733. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting one additional orthodontics specialist, one senior dental hygienist and one senior dental surgeon, in tabular form. [18042/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1734. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole time equivalent vacant posts by role currently unfilled in each of individual lung rapid access clinics, in tabular form. [18043/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1735. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologist with a special interest in strabismus working in the public health services in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [18044/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1736. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide the following information in relation to spinal surgeries performed on patients with spina bifida at Temple Street between 2018 and the end of 2022; the total number of surgeries; the number returned to theatre; the wound infection rate among patients; the rate of metalwork failure among patients; the overall complication rate; and to outline the documented process for discussing wound infection/repeat surgeries. [18066/23]
View answerIn 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.
1737. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health what date in 2022 were spina bifida-related surgeries at Temple Street formally suspended. [18067/23]
View answer1738. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the external clinical review of spinal surgery at Temple Street, what date was the review formally commissioned; why this external review was commissioned; what factors were involved in choosing a person (details supplied) to lead the external review; whether any other clinicians or hospitals considered to lead it; when the report is expected; and whether it will be published. [18068/23]
View answer1739. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the internal review of spinal surgery at Temple Street on what date this review was formally commissioned; the person or body that is conducting the internal review; and what factors were involved in choosing the person or body to lead this review. [18069/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1737 to 1739, inclusive, together.
In relation to the particular query raised, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that Kyphectomy surgeries were paused from the 7th of November 2022.
CHI has further advised that the internal review of spinal surgery in Temple Street was commissioned on the 7th of November 2022 and is being undertaken by a Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon and a Consultant Anaesthesiologist. The internal reviewers were chosen as individuals with knowledge of local systems. In addition an understanding of the complexity of care involved was required.
Actions taken to safeguard quality and safety are normal practice in healthcare and are ultimately in the best interest of the children and young people CHI treats. In order to ensure CHI maintains good standards of quality, safety and best practice in its service, Children’s Health Ireland requested an external clinical review of the spinal surgeries carried out on children with spina bifida over the past 3 years. CHI wanted independent, expert clinicians from a recognised centre of excellence to lead the review and chose Boston Children's Hospital. Other clinicians and hospitals were not considered.
CHI has advised that the contract with the reviewers was signed on 23rd March 2023. The report is expected in July. It will not be published but the recommendations will be shared.
1740. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of any external or internal pressure being placed on clinical staff at Temple Street to restart spina bifida-related surgeries in advance of the conclusion of the external review and therefore before any possibility of implementing recommendations from that review. [18070/23]
View answerIn 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.
1741. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 8 February 2023, the reason for the extreme delay in his Department providing an answer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18094/23]
View answerThe question concerned was referred to the HSE as it related to a service matter. I regret that the Deputy has not yet received the appropriate answer from the HSE. I have raised the issue with the HSE who are preparing a response and will reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1742. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health his views on whether doctors that have qualified in Ukraine and have been recognised with an equivalent relevant health care qualification to that of a health skills FETAC level 5 qualification can work in direct patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18101/23]
View answer1743. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on running Pres 2 exams or Plab exams in Ireland to facilitate the high number of Ukrainian doctors who want to practice in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18102/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1742 and 1743 together.
Officials from my Department have been working closely with colleagues in the six health profession regulators to examine ways to support all Ukrainian health practitioners arriving in the State. The regulators fully recognise the importance of assisting these practitioners and have been actively examining the measures that might need to be taken to support them to join their registers where possible and to gain employment in the health service.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Medical Council is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland. It is committed to supporting doctors arriving from Ukraine seeking to work in this jurisdiction. The Medical Council has established an internal working group to examine ways in which it can support these doctors, it has met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland and it has a dedicated email address and webpage with information for Ukrainian doctors.
The HSE has also been heavily engaged in this and is working on providing employment pathways for those with healthcare qualifications and experience. The HSE is currently exploring the possibility of observer roles in clinical areas while doctors are awaiting full registration and is working closely with the Medical Council in this regard. The HSE has a web portal open to Ukrainian practitioners who wish to register their interest in working in healthcare and it communicates regularly to inform them of updates in relation to their profession.
I am aware that medical English language training is particularly required to assist many of the applicants to meet the standards necessary for registration. In this regard, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I approved a funding package for medical English language training to assist Ukrainian doctors and dentists in gaining registration here. The medical language training package, designed in association with the HSE, consists of a language assessment and needs analysis followed by one of three subsequent training pathways. The Clinical English language training portal is live at www.regpath.ie and provides information on the minimum English language proficiency levels required, the training available, and how to apply. As of 13th April, there have been 249 Applications, 125 Diagnostic Assessments have been carried out and 96 people have been assigned to a training pathway.
In relation to the PRES 2 exam, the Medical Council have confirmed that dates have been set for PRES 2 exams for May, August and November and a number of Ukrainian doctors have submitted applications to sit the PRES 2 exam in May.
It is important to note that the Clinical Observer role currently being developed by the HSE will be open to doctors who have passed the Clinical English language training test and the passing of the PRES 2 exam is not required for this role.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate the importance of assisting health professionals from Ukraine to gain registration here. However, it is important that this is done in a safe manner which recognises the differences in training and language that exist between our systems of medical education and practise. The language training will greatly assist in meeting the standards for registration and it may be the case that some practitioners apply for non-medical practitioner roles while they work towards registration.
1744. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 22 March 2023, the HSE managers who approved contracts for renovations and other works to Glenwood House, Carrigaline following the purchase of that property in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/23]
View answerAs 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.
1745. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 571 of 7 March 2023 and 1155 of 21 March 2023, the current projected extended timeframe for the HSE's use of Garnish House, Cork as a mental health facility; the details of consultation with families of residents on the changes to this arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18137/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1746. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 127 of 9 February 2022 and 235 of 22 March 2023, if he will provide an exact breakdown of the estimated total annual service costs of €0.75 million for Glenwood House, Carrigaline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18138/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1747. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 637 of 5 October 2021 and 234 of 22 March 2023, if he will provide an exact breakdown of the service costs of €3.65 million for the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton during 2021, in tabular form; the details of the staff salary costs per clinician and other workers; the details of non-pay costs for that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18139/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1748. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reason the east Cork HSE catchment area, with a population of circa 100,000, is having its 24-hour staffed residential mental health provision reduced from twenty single-room placements in 2021 to three single-room placements in 2023; the reason a development team due to be set up from May 2022 with a view to developing a new ten bed service for the region has not yet been formed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18140/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
