Written Answers Nos. 281-300
281. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number and location of laboratories within the HSE Mid West Health Region operating genomics services for patients; the number of WTE and grades in each location; the corresponding number of vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40709/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
282. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given by his Department to the inclusion of care work in climate policy in line with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recognition of the social-ecological value of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40713/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy,as soon as possible
283. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will now fund a catch-up programme for the chicken pox vaccine to allow all families avail of it on the public system. [40724/24]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC continue to revise its recommendations having regard to of the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. To date, the varicella vaccine has not been included as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme. As NIAC made a recommendation to include varicella in the programme, my Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the Varicella Zoster Vaccine which was published on July 13th 2023.HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the programme is likely to be cost effective.Having considered the findings of the HTA, I have approved the introduction of the varicella vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme for those children born from 1 October 2024. There are no plans in place to implement a catch up programme.
284. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who was referred 12 months ago to the vascular unit at University Hospital Limerick, and continues to await an appointment with a vascular specialist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40725/24]
View answer“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
285. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health whether the Budget measure announced to cover the cost of HRT will cover any alternative medicines or supplements prescribed by a GP to manage perimenopause/menopause symptoms for women who cannot take regular HRT, due to a family history of breast cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40728/24]
View answerHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most commonly used treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and has been shown to be the most effective intervention for managing these symptoms. The Minister recently announced his plans to introduce a State-funded Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. €20m has been ring-fenced for the operation of such this measure in 2025.
The scope of the proposed measure is currently being finalised. The intention, for 2025, is to cover the costs associated with HRT products and intrauterine devices, (commonly known as coils) which are prescribed for women to manage their menopausal symptoms and which are included on the HSE Reimbursement List.
286. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if Budget 2025 extends fertility supports to single women and same-sex couples; and if not, the reason. [40747/24]
View answer287. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health what safety regulations are in place to ensure proper safety standards are in place with regard to people who are offering treatments in hotel spas. [40748/24]
View answer288. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an open letter presented to his Department (details supplied); and if, given that this group was advised by his office that it would be contacted within a month about a meeting, he will provide a date to discuss the contents of the letter. [40750/24]
View answerI am aware of the letter to which the Deputy refers. When the letter was delivered in my department’s headquarters, a representative from my office verbally acknowledged receipt of the letter and advised that a response would issue within one month. A written acknowledgement has been issued to one of the lead signatories and a full response will issue in the coming days.
289. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the amount of the mental health budget that has been allocated to eating disorder services. [40764/24]
View answerThe Model of Care for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders was launched in 2018 and I have prioritised it’s rollout since taking up office in July 2020.
Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder teams for adults and CAMHS are being rolled out across the country. There are now eleven teams in place: six Adult teams and five Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams. Six of these new teams started in 2023, and in May of this year, I announced the establishment of a new adult team for CHO7, which will cover the area of Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South-West, which will bring the total number of teams to twelve.
To date, there are over 100 posts funded under the National Clinical Programme. Over 80 eating disorder Clinicians, including 10 Consultant Psychiatrists, are now treating people with eating disorders across the country.
Dedicated investment in eating disorders continues, and last year the HSE spent €8.1m on eating disorder services under the Clinical Programme.
I am firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for eating disorders, which is why I have again prioritised the clinical programme in Budget 2025.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2025, including that for Mental Health.
290. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline as to when the new eating disorder specialist team in Limerick will be developed. [40765/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
291. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40766/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
292. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
293. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans his Department has in place to try and avoid overcrowding in hospitals this winter; and if, in an effort to try and protect vulnerable patients, he will publicly encourage masking and clean air strategies in medical settings to reduce spread of infection. [40779/24]
View answerAs our health system faces into what is traditionally the most challenging periods of the year, I would like to assure the deputy that every measure is being taken to ensure the smooth running of our hospitals over the winter period. The UEC 2024-25 Plan was presented to Government in July of this year and one of the 4 pillars of the plan is hospital avoidance. This focuses on supporting patients in settings other than the Emergency Department and avoiding the need for inpatient care.
Amongst the initiatives involved in the plan are:
• Vaccine Preventable Illness, promote uptake of Influenza, Measles and COVID-19 vaccinations to improve compliance for all target groups including Healthcare Workers Specialist Care in the Community
• Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Chronic Disease Management to deliver 19,000 patient contacts each month. CSTs for Older Persons will deliver 11,750 patient contacts each month
• GP Out of Hours Work with GP Out of Hours Services to maintain/increase GP OOH contacts and reduce the level of GP OOH referrals to EDs
• NAS Care Pathways Maximise usage of existing NAS alternative care pathways
• Injury Units to provide a 7-day service, 8am to 8pm including Bank Holidays
Mask wearing is just one of the measures we can all take to protect ourselves from infection this winter. Individuals who wish to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so, in particular when disease incidence is high. Measures such as vaccinations, good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette are also important in preventing the spread of infections.
This Winter, COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines are available to eligible individuals by GPs and pharmacists. In addition, an infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme is running between September 2024 and February 2025.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The National Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable in the winter months have access to the required vaccines, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they become ill, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for seasonal-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of these viruses in the community. More information can be found at www.hse.ie
294. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to increase the number of outpatient paediatric hospital rooms in Cork University Hospital that are fitted with a ceiling track hoist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40781/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
295. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that elective surgeries have been paused in a hospital (details supplied) for the months of October and November; if his attention has been drawn to the serious impact this is having on patients on waiting lists; the action he will take to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40792/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter for the hospital named, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
296. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction detox beds allocated in Munster and Leinster, respectively; the location of each and any associated care providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40794/24]
View answer297. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to provide the resourcing number of healthcare staff related to addiction detox bed units in Munster and Leinster, by each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40795/24]
View answer298. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will itemise the budget resourcing provided through his Department to addiction detoxification; the average bed availability in Munster and Leinster, respectively over the past 12-months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40796/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 297 and 298 together.
As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
299. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to provide a report on the availability and specialist use of dermoscopy across the model 4 hospital network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
300. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to provide a report on the number of consultant dermatologists working within the model for hospital network, by each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40798/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
