Written Answers Nos. 554-575
554. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the last national ophthalmology strategy was delivered; If the recommendations of the strategy were achieved; and when a new strategy will be produced. [22361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report, published in 2017, set out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting. The Report estimated that 60% of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments.
The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology developed a model of care, also published in 2017, detailing how the realignment of eye services from the acute hospitals to the community will be undertaken.
Included in current priorities is transferring the care of children aged 8+ years to the care of local private optometrists. A project team with a wide-ranging membership was established in late 2019 / early 2020 to progress this initiative. The work of the team was paused due to the requirement to focus resources on the COVID 19 pandemic. However, the project team has been reconvened and is progressing matters in relation to this initiative. Recently I asked the HSE to prepare a detailed implementation plan in regard to this matter.
The HSE is currently in the process of implementing multidisciplinary Integrated Eye Care Teams, as recommended in both documents. These teams facilitate assessment, diagnoses, management and treatment and in some cases pre-op/post-op care enabling most patients to be seen in their own locality. Where necessary, patients can be referred onwards to acute Ophthalmology services to receive the necessary specialist input.
Integrated Eye Care Teams continue to be rolled out nationally. To date, teams have been established in 6 of the 9 CHOs, namely, CHO 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9. Work is underway to establish teams in the remaining CHOs as well as further expanding the existing teams.
555. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health If the post of chief cardiac physiologist and senior cardiac physiologist within cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Beaumont Hospital have been filled on a full-time basis. [22362/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
556. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant general and hepato-pancreato-biliary and liver transplant surgeons at St. Vincent's University Hospital in each of the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024 in tabular form. [22363/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
557. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an operation at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; if he is on the routine or urgent list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22389/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
558. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health his views on the issue that GPs have been refusing to do private cervical smear tests for patients as they have no faith in the labs where the tests are analysed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract(s) with the HSE for the provision of health services such as the GMS contract for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card patients. Services provided by GPs outside of relevant contractual terms are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patients.
The National Screening Service (NSS) has operational responsibility for CervicalCheck, the national cervical screening programme. The programme offers free, regular cervical screening tests to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 65. The number of years between screening tests changes depending on a person’s age, analysis of the evidence around CervicalCheck screening indicates that at a population level this is the cohort who will benefit the most from screening.
CervicalCheck colposcopy units and contracted laboratories adhere to strict quality assurance standards and guidelines, laboratory partners are fully accredited and monitored. All CervicalCheck samples go to one of two quality-assured lab providers. These are Quest Diagnostics Inc in the US and the National Cervical Screening Laboratory at The Coombe Hospital in Dublin. The quality assurance requirements and standards for cervical screening programme follow international best practice, and are set out in their Quality Assurance Standards. These standards are applicable to activities under the CervicalCheck programme. They are not applicable to private testing, in which CervicalCheck has no role.
559. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has considered adding extra acute beds to Nenagh General Hospital. [22407/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
560. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently on HSE recruitment panels for all disciplines in CHO3 as of 13 May 2024 by discipline and job type, in tabular form. [22410/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
561. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to recruit another peer support facilitator with the psychiatric team in UHK in view of the fact there are currently only two positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22426/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
562. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22432/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
563. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if immediate appointments will be given to a person (details supplied). [22438/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
564. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health whether he has any plans to increase awareness about the importance of the use of sun cream in combatting skin cancer; whether he has had any discussions with his counterparts in the Department of Finance regarding what concessions could be made in this area, including a reduction or exclusion of VAT applied to products. [22442/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is "Develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours".
The SunSmart campaign has run in 2021, 2022, 2023 and is currently running for 2024. The campaign which is lead by HSE Comms, is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year, and will be providing €75,000 to co-fund the campaign in 2024.
The key message of the campaign is to follow the SunSmart 5S’s which includes the use of sunscreen as well as other sun protective behaviours.
The SunSmart 5S’s are –
• Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves or collared t-shirts.
• Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, using factor 50+ for children.
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat. Protect your face, ears and neck.
• Seek shade especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm.
• Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.
The campaign also includes the Get SunSmart! Art competition for primary school- aged children. This competition, now in it’s third year, has this year included pre-school aged children for the first time. The aim of the art competition is to raise awareness of skin protective behaviours in children, and to help them to adopt healthy habits for life.
The SunSmart campaign 2024 also includes a partnership with GAA Cúl Camps. The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) are working with Cúl Camps county co-ordinators to develop a games manual which will incorporate SunSmart messaging into camp activities.
As part of the 2024 campaign, resources were developed including short videos recorded with a dermatologist, giving information on skin cancer prevention, including the use of sunscreen. NCCP is also hosting a webinar on ‘Sunscreen Myths and Facts’ on Wed 22nd May. Speakers will include a dermatologist and a representative from the HPRA.
SunSmart sunscreen dispenser boards with a UV index display have been piloted in outdoor worker and outdoor recreation settings in 2022 and 2023, in a pilot programme being run by NCCP. Sunscreen dispensers help to raise awareness of the importance of using sunscreen and help engage individuals to adopt sun protective behaviours. The pilot programme is being run again in 2024 and is covering approximately 85 different sites around the country including GAA clubs, Family Resource centres, Playgrounds, Youth centres, Community gardens, and Tidy towns.
GAA have also agreed to house SunSmart sunscreen dispenser boards at Croke Park and some regional venues for use by all match spectators during the Summer.
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they are exempt from VAT or fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply reduced rates of VAT.
Under VAT law, there is no scope for a reduction in the rate of VAT on sunscreen products. The supply of sunscreen products is liable to the standard rate of VAT, currently 23%.
In Ireland the price of sunscreen has reduced in recent years such that cost should not be a barrier to utilisation. The Medicines Management Programme conducted a review of reimbursement of sunscreen and concluded that sunscreen can be purchased at a low cost in many pharmacies and supermarkets.
Sunscreen is not an alternative to covering up with suitable clothing and shade but it does offer additional protection. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection and should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothes, hats, sunglasses and shade.
565. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a scope for a person (details supplied). [22444/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase awareness about the importance of the use of sun cream in combatting skin cancer; the details of any discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Department of Finance regarding what concessions could be made in this area, including a reduction in or exclusion of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22446/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is "Develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours".
The SunSmart campaign has run in 2021, 2022, 2023 and is currently running for 2024. The campaign which is lead by HSE Comms, is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year, and will be providing €75,000 to co-fund the campaign in 2024.
The key message of the campaign is to follow the SunSmart 5S’s which includes the use of sunscreen as well as other sun protective behaviours.
The SunSmart 5S’s are –
• Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves or collared t-shirts.
• Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, using factor 50+ for children.
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat. Protect your face, ears and neck.
• Seek shade especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm.
• Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.
The campaign also includes the Get SunSmart! Art competition for primary school- aged children. This competition, now in it’s third year, has this year included pre-school aged children for the first time. The aim of the art competition is to raise awareness of skin protective behaviours in children, and to help them to adopt healthy habits for life.
The SunSmart campaign 2024 also includes a partnership with GAA Cúl Camps. The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) are working with Cúl Camps county co-ordinators to develop a games manual which will incorporate SunSmart messaging into camp activities.
As part of the 2024 campaign, resources were developed including short videos recorded with a dermatologist, giving information on skin cancer prevention, including the use of sunscreen. NCCP is also hosting a webinar on ‘Sunscreen Myths and Facts’ on Wed 22nd May. Speakers will include a dermatologist and a representative from the HPRA.
SunSmart sunscreen dispenser boards with a UV index display have been piloted in outdoor worker and outdoor recreation settings in 2022 and 2023, in a pilot programme being run by NCCP. Sunscreen dispensers help to raise awareness of the importance of using sunscreen and help engage individuals to adopt sun protective behaviours. The pilot programme is being run again in 2024 and is covering approximately 85 different sites around the country including GAA clubs, Family Resource centres, Playgrounds, Youth centres, Community gardens, and Tidy towns.
GAA have also agreed to house SunSmart sunscreen dispenser boards at Croke Park and some regional venues for use by all match spectators during the Summer.
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they are exempt from VAT or fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply reduced rates of VAT.
Under VAT law, there is no scope for a reduction in the rate of VAT on sunscreen products. The supply of sunscreen products is liable to the standard rate of VAT, currently 23%.
In Ireland the price of sunscreen has reduced in recent years such that cost should not be a barrier to utilisation. The Medicines Management Programme conducted a review of reimbursement of sunscreen and concluded that sunscreen can be purchased at a low cost in many pharmacies and supermarkets.
Sunscreen is not an alternative to covering up with suitable clothing and shade but it does offer additional protection. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection and should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothes, hats, sunglasses and shade.
567. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of each of the eight recommendations in the “Overview Report of HIQA’s Monitoring Programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Service, with a focus on obstetric emergencies” (2020); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22448/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
568. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22449/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
569. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the funding that was provided to the National Maternity Strategy in each year from 2016 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €25.65m in new development funding has been invested from 2016-2022 through the National Maternity Strategy. This has enabled the recruitment of over 500 full-time staff across the country.
Progressing women's health is a top priority for this Government who have provided significant funding for gynaecology, for endometriosis services, for screening and for menopause supports. There has also been investment in women's mental health services, including perinatal mental health.
The implementation of the Maternity Strategy's Model of Care is providing more choice for women. All 19 maternity services now offer the midwife-led supported care pathway. Each maternity service now has a lactation consultant and a bereavement team.
Postnatal hubs have been established in Kilkenny, Kerry, Cork, Portiuncula, and in Sligo with funding provided for two more additional hubs in 2024. These hubs are providing postnatal care within the community; a priority identified by women in the National Maternity Experience Survey and in our Sláintecare objectives.
Funding provided through the Maternity Strategy is providing for additional home-from-home birthing suites. It is also enabling upgrades to theatres and wards.
We are establishing a National Perinatal Genomics Service; evaluating, diagnosing, managing and treating anomalies before birth.
Furthermore, through Strategy funding, a maternity network has been set up within each Hospital Group to provide leadership and support. Training and education supports have been strengthened for maternity staff.
All these many new developments are supporting improved choice for women. They provide safe, high quality, nationally consistent, woman-centred maternity care.
New development funding provided to the National Maternity Strategy in each year from 2016 to present can be found in tabular format below.
|
Year |
National Maternity Strategy Funding (€ million) |
|
2016 |
3.0 |
|
2017 |
- |
|
2018 |
4.2 |
|
2019 |
1.0 |
|
2020 |
1.5 |
|
2021 |
7.3 |
|
2022 |
8.7 |
|
2023 |
- |
|
2024 |
- |
New development funding has also been provided to support maternity services through the Women's Health Fund, entailing:
|
2022 |
€3 million |
|
2023 |
€0.9 million |
|
2024 |
€1.2 million |
The increases in staff, and this overall investment, is improving women’s experience of our maternity services every day.
570. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the establishment of a clinical audit function for maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22451/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of plans to develop a research strategy for Irish maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22452/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the review by NWIHP of the maternity and infant care scheme, in conjunction with the Primary Care Directorate; the details of any adaptations made or planned on foot of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22453/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
573. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the stakeholder forum to assess the effectiveness of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22454/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
574. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the promised detailed national standardised dataset to support the effective monitoring and evaluation of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the infrastructural deficits that exist in every maternity unit and hospital, as recommended in a report (details supplied); the status of the implementation plan to bring each maternity unit and hospital into compliance with National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare and the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in the Acute Healthcare Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
