Written Answers Nos. 635-649
635. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the studies, analysis and evidence used to support the decision of the HSE to limit, due to safety concerns, all home-birth services outside a 30-minute blue-light distance from their nearest maternity service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62226/22]
View answerAs the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
636. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the counties in which the HSE home birth service is provided; if County Wicklow is one of the counties in which the service is fully available; if there has been any reduction in the availability of this service recently; if any changes to the services are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62227/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
637. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed list of the number of home births registered with the HSE which were conducted in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62228/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
638. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of home births registered with the HSE which were conducted in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, inclusive by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62229/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
639. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the business plans submitted in respect of a hospital (details supplied) in the past three months; the decisions made thereon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62230/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
640. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if, in light of waiting times for cancer surgery patients, he will negotiate with private hospitals to deliver these urgent surgeries for public patients; and if he has any plans to do so. [62231/22]
View answerFurther to my reply to PQ 588 of the 6th of December the model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight Designated Cancer Centres serving a defined population and geographic area. The eight designated cancer centres are Beaumont Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, St. James’s Hospital, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Waterford, University Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Galway.
Chemotherapy is delivered in 26 hospitals approved for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT). These are the eight Designated Cancer Centres and 18 other hospitals operating on a hub and spoke basis under the planning and supervision of the designated centres.
The centralisation of specialist services into Designated Cancer Centres aims to optimise patient outcomes, through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports.
In 2020 and 2021, cancer services continued to be provided in Ireland during a challenging time for health services globally. The National Action Plan on COVID-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority. Cancer diagnostic and treatment services continued to operate, including breast, lung, and prostate Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for cancer diagnosis.
From June 2020 onwards, treatments across surgery, medical oncology and radiotherapy made a strong recovery after the first months of the pandemic with total activity levels for the year at 80-90% of 2019 figures. This recovery has continued through 2021 and into 2022.
The number of people coming forward to their GPs and being referred to cancer RACs has continued to improve. From January to September of this year, GP e-referrals are at 137.6% of 2019 activity for the same period.
Cancers diagnosed in RACs from January to August of this year (3,956) are at 96.5% of the figure in 2019 for the same period (4,099).
Whilst private health care providers such as the Mater Private Network are independent organisations the Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently engaging with the Private Hospital Association with a view to considering arrangements which could help reduce acute hospital waiting lists.
641. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the case of a patient (details supplied) who was told that they would have to wait three years for an appointment but would be seen in eight weeks if they were a private patient; and his views on whether this is an appropriate difference between public and private health care. [62239/22]
View answerI sincerely regret that patients can experience a long waiting time for treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
The Government has invested record sums in our health service. This is been used to boost permanent capacity which is key in helping to tackle waiting lists. Our workforce has grown by more than 17,000 staff, doctors, nurses, midwives and therapists since 2020.
The €350 million allocated to the HSE and NTPF under the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan us primarily focused on providing additional public and private activity to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists. This includes:
- €123 million in funding for delivery of the HSE Waiting List Action Plan, including priority areas such as Obesity/Bariatrics, Spina Bifida/Scoliosis and Gynaecology, as well as progressing longer-term reforms to sustainably enhance capacity. Other actions in the Action Plan will streamline and reconfigure care pathways.
- €150 million for the NTPF to procure additional capacity to reduce waiting lists.
- €90m for additional short-term measures to address acute scheduled care waiting list backlogs.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on outpatient waiting list for an appointment or inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
642. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if all of the recommendations of a person (details supplied) have been implemented in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62250/22]
View answer643. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to issues within an organisation (details supplied); the actions that will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62251/22]
View answer644. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place by the HSE to improve certain services (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62252/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 642, 643 and 644 together.
The organisation referenced by the Deputy receives funding from the HSE, under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004.
Section 39 legally underpins the provision of services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide. While assistance is provided to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide, it must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run.
The provision of services by Section 39 organisations is managed through an annually reviewed Service Arrangement and monitored by the HSE and relevant service unit. The HSE advises that it, in conjunction with the organisation concerned, is committed to providing safe, effective and high quality care to the people supported.
I am informed by the HSE that since the report referenced was finalised, a number of actions have been implemented with further recommendations addressed in a number of the strategic objectives set out by the organisation in its strategic plan. I am also advised by the HSE that a review of the organisation’s management structures is underway.
Given that the HSE is currently working with the organisation concerned, I am referring the Deputy’s questions to the HSE for response.
645. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied). [62259/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the provision that his Department has made to help address the mental health needs of persons who have arrived in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to date in 2022. [62267/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to Ukrainians seeking refuge in Ireland as beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP). The Department of Health is collaborating with the HSE to ensure that refugees have access to the same range of health care services as Irish and EU citizens.
BOTPs are entitled to apply for a medical card that provides access to free health services for each adult and child dependents. These services include mental health and psychosocial services. The initial psychosocial and mental health response has involved: community mobilisation and support, including facilitating and supporting access to self-help and social supports, the building of capacity within health services through training in the area of cultural awareness, working through interpreters and on trauma informed care, and the provision of accessible information on the full range of health services available.
BOTPs experiencing mental health difficulties while residing can access supports in line with normal admission and referral procedures. The range of mental health services delivered by, or on behalf of, the HSE is extensive, and ranges from the promotion of positive mental health and mental health services in primary care, to specialist community and in-patient mental health services. Some of these supports have been tailored and/or translated with the needs of arriving Ukrainians in mind and will complement the general suite of mental health services. These include mental health information in Ukrainian and Russian, peer supports and more formalised person-centred services delivered by the HSE and funded partner organisations, including MyMind, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Aware, SpunOut and others. MyMind has recruited Ukrainian speaking therapists and is currently accepting Ukrainians for counselling and psychotherapy, free of charge, in English and a range other of languages.
I continue to work with colleagues across Government to ensure health and other humanitarian supports are made available for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland.
647. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the availability of lactation consultants and supports nationwide; if he will outline plans for expansion of lactation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62268/22]
View answerEncouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland.
In May 2021, Minister Donnelly announced additional annual funding to the HSE of €1.58 million to fund 24 additional lactation consultants thereby providing support to every maternity unit in the country. I am advised by the HSE that below is the current position in relation to the recruitment of lactation consultants and supports for breastfeeding generally.
As of December 8 2022 the status of dedicated lactation/infant feeding post recruitment is as follows:
1. There are a total of 45.6 WTEs currently in post, comprised of 31.8 in maternity services and 13.8 WTEs in community
2. In maternity services, 9.5 WTEs were allocated from the Ministerial announcement of 24 posts. 8.5 WTEs are currently filled, with 1 WTE appointed and awaiting a start date. Within the 8.5 WTE filled posts, 1.5 WTE posts are appointed in a temporary capacity pending permanent appointments
3. In community services 14.5 WTEs were allocated from the Ministerial announcement of 24 posts. 7 WTES are in post; 3WTE have confirmed start dates for January 2023; 3 WTEs are awaiting start dates and 1.5 WTE remain in recruitment
The HSE is actively engaged in enhancing lactation supports through both these dedicated infant feeding positions and the implementation of training for all practitioners who provide advice and support in infant feeding as part of their wider service roles.
648. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total number of children waiting for assessments of need broken down by the disability network team; the average waiting time for such assessments in each DNT; the total number of children waiting for interventions post assessment including speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and other supports broken down by DNT; and the average waiting time for each intervention in each DNT in tabular form. [62269/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
649. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to Covid vaccines. [62276/22]
View answerIreland'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.Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.You can view the updated guidelines here:www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdfThe NIAC has recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years with a weak immune system; a second mRNA booster dose for those aged 50-64 years, persons aged 12-49 years with specific underlying medical conditions or are residents of long-term care facilities.
The NIAC has also made a number of recommendations regarding the Autumn/Winter period. It has advised that healthcare workers are offered a second mRNA booster and a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and the rollout is underway.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. Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here:www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/
