Michael Lowry
Ceist:558. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56907/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (558)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department does not comment on individual cases.
Ministerial Licence under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016
Under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977-2016, doctors may utilise the Ministerial licencing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so.
In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, either by a consultant or by a GP which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Further information is available on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fb8912-cannabis-for-medical-use/
It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (559)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:559. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of day care centres; and when a centre (details supplied) will reopen. [56908/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (560, 677)
David Cullinane
Ceist:560. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when work on the delivery of 26 new ICU beds at St. James's Hospital will commence; the level of funding that has been allocated for this project; when these beds are expected to be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:677. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €10 million announced in budget 2022 for critical care will be allocated; the sub-allocation to measures within this new measures grouping in tabular form; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro rata; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57504/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 677 together.
The Health Service Capacity Review, which was noted by Government in 2018, recommended that an additional 190 critical care beds should be in place by 2031, bringing the total to 430. Accordingly, the Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which was noted by Government in December 2020, aims to increase capacity from the 2020 baseline of 255 critical care beds, to 446 over time, to fully address the Capacity Review’s recommendations in regard to critical care.
Very significant funding of €52m was provided by Government in Budget 2021 to commence implementation of Phase 1 of the Plan. This provides for the permanent retention of 40 additional critical care beds which were funded temporarily in 2020 as part of the Covid response, and for the opening of a further 26 beds in new build capacity. The HSE has advised that 42 of these beds are now open, bringing baseline capacity to 297 although the number of beds open on any given day fluctuates as a result of a variety of factors. The funding provided in 2021 includes 5 beds at St. James's Hospital. 4 of these beds are now open, with recruitment underway to open the remaining bed as soon as possible.
Budget 2022 is providing €10.45m to complete Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan, allowing for recruitment of the necessary staff to allow for the opening of 19 further permanent critical care beds, fund the upgrade of a number of beds from high dependency (Level 2) to ICU (Level 3), and implementation of an ICU Clinical Information System to support our critical care staff in managing their patients more effectively, improving patient outcomes and shortening length of stay in ICU.
Phase Two of the Strategic Plan will see further beds added through the development of new build capacity at a number of sites, including further beds at St James's Hospital.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (561, 562, 563)
Joe Carey
Ceist:561. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on a first appointment in the outpatients' diabetes clinic in the UL hospital group aged 18 to 24 years, 25 to 34 year, 35 to 44 years, 45 to 54 years, 55 to 64 years and over 65 years of age in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56913/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoe Carey
Ceist:562. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on a first appointment in the outpatients' diabetes clinic in the UL hospital group for 24 months or more aged 18 to 24 years, 25 to 34 years, 35 to 44 years, 45 to 54 years, 55 to 64 years and over 65 years of age in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56914/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoe Carey
Ceist:563. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on a first appointment in the outpatients' diabetes clinic in the UL hospital group who have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or other forms of diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 to 563, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 562 answered with Question No. 561.
Question No. 563 answered with Question No. 561.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (564)
Joe Carey
Ceist:564. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delays in recruiting for the four diabetes clinical nurse specialist posts, the three dietitian posts and the additional two consultant endocrinologist posts for University Hospital Limerick, some of which were approved in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (565)
Joe Carey
Ceist:565. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the University Limerick Hospitals Group will be included in the remaining six diabetes centres acquiring dose adjusting for normal eating licences in 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56917/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish National Clinical Guidelines for Adults with Type 1 diabetes recommends that a structured education programme of proven benefit, for example the DAFNE (dose-adjustment for normal eating) programme be offered to all individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Currently in Ireland the DAFNE programme is the only programme that meets the required accreditation criteria for this guideline.
For a hospital diabetes centre to become a DAFNE centre, a team comprising a doctor, nurse and dietitian with expertise in the management of diabetes from that centre is required to complete the DAFNE training, enter into a licence agreement with DAFNE and continue to meet the accreditation standards aligned. It is the responsibility of each local hospital team to arrange the licence agreement and associated training, delivery and evaluation.
The National Clinical Programme for Diabetes is currently working to advise and support relevant diabetes centres to advance their rollout of the DAFNE programme to meet the clinical recommendations that all adults with type 1 diabetes be offered a structured education programme of proven benefit. Support has been provided to the diabetes team in Limerick University Hospital in this respect. UHL will be further enabled by the additional staffing allocation supported by the Enhanced Community Care funding, whose role includes the delivery of Type 1 diabetes Self-Management education, e.g., DAFNE.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (566)
Joe Carey
Ceist:566. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions through the University Limerick Hospitals Group accident and emergency department or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis or to severe hypoglycaemia in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56918/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (567)
Joe Carey
Ceist:567. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over the age of 18 years who were admitted through the University Limerick Hospitals Group accident and emergency department or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis or to severe hypoglycaemia in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56919/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (568)
Joe Carey
Ceist:568. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the necessary funding for the resumption of the national diabetes register Sláintecare project as a priority; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately 10% of the HSE annual budget is spent on diabetes care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56920/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry. It was intended that the registry would be in place by 2021. However, the project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work.
The development of a National Diabetes Registry remains a priority, and following substantial increases in investment in eHealth, is now being considered as part of a wider review of Ireland’s health information strategy. The diabetes registry, along with other disease-specific registries, will operate as “virtual” registries and will use existing health and social care records to enable the monitoring of the incidence and prevalence of disease in Ireland.
I acknowledge that Diabetes is a significant issue and driver of health expenditure. In this regard, the 2019 GP Agreement introduced the chronic disease management programme for adult GMS patients who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which Type 2 Diabetes is one.
For the first time we are seeing the delivery of structured care on a large scale for patients with chronic conditions in a primary care setting. Patients with an existing diagnosis of one of the specified chronic conditions, and those who are assessed by their GP on an opportunistic case finding basis, as well as those identified as high risk, will benefit under the programme. It is estimated that over 430,000 medical card and GP visit card patients will benefit from the programme when it is fully implemented.
The programme focuses on prevention, patient empowerment, early diagnosis and intervention, multi-morbidity and the provision of care as close to home as possible. The aim of the programme is to reduce morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (569)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:569. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a device will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56921/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Residential Institutions
Ceisteanna (570)
David Cullinane
Ceist:570. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of residential service providers that have established family forums under the Terms of Reference for Family Forums 2018 (details supplied); the steps taken by his Department and the HSE to support the establishment of these forums; the effects the establishment of these forums had on the quality of life of residents, their families and service users in the designated centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56924/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (571)
Joe Carey
Ceist:571. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a query regarding the provision of an EU digital Covid certificate to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56926/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate enable the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation allows for Digital COVID Certificates to be provided to Union citizens vaccinated in a third country provided that the Member State has been provided with reliable proof of vaccination.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate Third Country portal is now accessible to eligible Irish passport holders vaccinated outside of the EU at www.covidcertificateportal.gov.ie
This portal will accept applications from individuals vaccinated in a third country, outside of the EU Member States, who are 18 years of age and older, hold a valid Irish passport, and a reliable proof of vaccination for a vaccine type currently authorised for use in Ireland.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (572)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:572. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of MRI machines located in public and voluntary hospitals; the number operating on a 24-hour basis; and the number operating seven days a week. [56927/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (573)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:573. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres in public and voluntary hospitals; the number that are closed currently; the number that are operating on an eight, 16 or a 24-hour basis; and the number operating on a seven day a week basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56928/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (574)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:574. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of MRI machines and theatres that have not been used at all in the past six months; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56929/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (575)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:575. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the level of staffing and beds that would need to be mobilised to allow for theatres and MRI machines to be used on a 24-hour basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56930/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (576)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:576. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce activity related funding to fund the HSE in future to ensure that hospitals get paid for the work they do and to encourage more outputs. [56931/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Activity Based Funding is a funding model for hospital care for inpatient and day-case services. This means where services are funded under an Activity Based Funding model, a specified price is paid to each hospital for each weighted unit of inpatient work and each weighted unit of day-case work.
Activity Based Funding was initially implemented in the Acute hospital setting in 2016. The majority of hospitals are now funded by this method for 70% of their total funding, moving away from historic block funding.
As the Health Service Executive are also heavily involved in the Activity Based Funding project, we have also asked the Health Service Executive to provide a further update to the Deputy directly, with additional operational context in relation to the rollout/status of Activity Based Funding from the perspective of the Health Service Executive.
The Department is currently engaged with the Health Service Executive to determine next steps in the implementation of Activity Based Funding project and will provide further information at the conclusion of this engagement.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (577)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:577. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals that have had lean performance analysis in terms of their throughput of patients, most especially surgical patients, in the past ten years. [56932/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.