Written Answers Nos. 172-199
172. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are taking or have taken cases against the State alleging that their unborn baby was wrongfully diagnosed and subsequently aborted; the number of claims notified to the State Claims Agency; the number of cases ongoing; and the number of cases which have been settled. [27319/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. I have been informed by the SCA that the information below has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The SCA has two ongoing claims from persons alleging that their unborn baby was wrongfully diagnosed with a condition sufficient to bring them within the scope of the Health Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018. It is inappropriate to provide the years of claims, as to do so could have the effect of identifying individual cases.
Definitions
National Incident Management System (NIMS): National Incident Management System (NIMS): Incidents (which include claims) are reported using the “National Incident Management System”, hosted by the State Claims Agency (SCA). An incident can be a harmful Incident (Adverse Event), no harm incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence (reportable circumstance) or complaint. NIMS is the system used by the delegated authorities to fulfil their statutory requirement to report incidents to the State Claims Agency and for their own incident and risk management purposes.
Claim: A claim refers to notification of intention to seek compensation for personal injury and/or property damage where it is alleged the State was negligent. The application may be in the form of a letter of claim, an InjuriesBoard.ie application, or a written/oral request.
173. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the pre-budget submission from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the urgent need to develop a dementia specific counselling service to support family carers and people living with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I became Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People in 2020, I have worked with the Government to progressively increase funding for dementia services and supports so that everyone with dementia and their families have the supports that they need to live as well and as independently as possible.
Last May, the HSE published its comprehensive Model of Care for Dementia, which addresses the needs of all people living with dementia and sets out care pathways to advance timely diagnosis and post-diagnostic support and care for them and their carers.
To implement the Model of Care, the Government has funded the establishment of Memory Assessment and Support Services, Regional Specialist Memory Clinics and a variety of post-diagnostic supports for people living with dementia. There are now 29 Dementia Advisers providing a service in every county. They play a crucial role engaging with people with dementia, their families and carers to provide free and confidential supports and signposting to help connect with essential services, often at a time of crisis.
In addition to this, the 2020 Programme for Government made a commitment to delivering a ‘Carers’ Guarantee’ in order to provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. Since 2021, annual recurring funding of €2 million has been provided towards delivering the Carers’ Guarantee. €1.9 million of this funding is being channeled through a Service Level Agreement with Family Carers Ireland across five areas of activity: community carer supports, intensive and emergency supports, education and training; Family Carers Ireland’s freephone careline and psychosocial supports. The remaining €100,000 is supporting the operation of a professionally moderated online Family Carer Support Group through Care Alliance Ireland.
The Department of Health will consider this request in relation to the need to expand dementia specific counselling services further in order to support family carers and people living with dementia, as part of the wider 2025 Estimates process.
174. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure of the National Treatment Purchas Fund on patient care in private and public hospitals respectively, in 2022 and 2023. [27321/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) provided my Department with the attached table which outlines the NTPF patient care expenditure in public and private hospitals in each year 2022 and 2023.
You might note that the 2023 Annual Financial Statements have not yet been certified and are still undergoing audit.
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Patient Care Expenditure |
||
|
**2023 |
2022 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Private Hospitals |
107,367,250 |
67,285,727 |
|
Public Hospitals |
72,051,182 |
61,217,418 |
|
179,418,432 |
128,503,145 |
|
**The Annual Financial Statements for 2023 have not yet been certified and are still undergoing audit.
175. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on the Cross-Border Directive in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27322/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated under the Cross-Border Directive in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
177. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on the treatment abroad scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27324/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated under the treatment abroad scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27325/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
179. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on contracting out radiotherapy treatment for public patients to private providers in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27326/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
180. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if it is intended that Beaumont Hospital’s live kidney donor programme will be expanded to accommodate organ donations from non-directed altruistic donors; if so, whether that expansion must await commencement of Part 2 of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024; when he proposes to commence Part 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024 was enacted in February 2024, but has not yet been commenced.
Before full commencement, it will be necessary to ensure that all required supporting legislation, guidelines, relevant codes of practice, and other practical arrangements are in place.
The Act is a composite piece of legislation that includes provisions on:
• organ donation and transplantation,
• post-mortem practices and procedures,
• anatomical examination, and
• public display of bodies after death.
Work is underway in my Department and in the HSE to prepare for the commencement of the provisions concerning organ donation and transplantation contained in Part 2 of this legislation, at the earliest possible opportunity, including the legislative basis for non-directed altruistic donations.
One of prerequisites to enable non-directed altruistic donations is the establishment of an Independent Panel. This Panel will authorise living donation of organs and tissues and cell in certain scenarios, including non-directed altruistic donations, by providing additional safeguards to protect the potential donor.
It is my intention, subject to the necessary prerequisites being in place, to commence the provisions of Part 2 of the Act relating to organ donation and transplantation, this year.
In the meantime, I am committed to supporting and developing organ donation and transplantation services. I am informed that a transplant coordinator was appointed in 2023 to Beaumont Hospital from the National Service Plan 2022 on the basis of the projected impact of the Human Tissue Act on the living donation program.
181. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27348/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
182. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland has not yet implemented international guidelines recommended by a medical organisation (details supplied) when it comes to treating heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction; when he intends to instruct the HSE to adopt the organisation’s guidelines which would mean that patients can use an ARNI as a first-line therapy, reducing mortality and hospitalisations by 20%, and reducing on average the number of appointments they have to attend by four, thus helping to reduce cardiology waiting lists significantly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27349/24]
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
183. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of active day centres in each county; and the population and demographics of those counties compared to the number of day centres, in tabular form. [27375/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
184. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be considered for any cancellation that might occur to see a doctor [27378/24]
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.
185. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position with the provision of a new hospital in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27380/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
186. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to consider using out-of-hours services or 24-hour access doctors to deal with the long delays medical card patients are having in accessing an appointment with their GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27381/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As GPs are private practitioners, the scheduling of consultations is a matter for each individual practice. Where scheduling is required, GPs prioritise appointments based on urgency and health need.
As per the GMS contract, GMS GPs are not permitted to make surgery arrangements that discriminate between GMS patients and private patients.
GPs who hold a GMS contract are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours. Most GPs participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting this requirement, such services facilitate the provision of GP services outside of normal surgery hours to GMS patients and private patients.
GP OOH services are intended for urgent GP care needed outside of normal surgery hours. Routine and regularly scheduled GP care involves a continuity of care best suited to the patient's GP practice and should be scheduled with that practice during normal hours.
187. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the reopening of Keltoi; the date funding was applied for; and the date that a decision on this application is expected. [27392/24]
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.
188. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the target for peer training and family training in naloxone provision annually. [27393/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. 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.
189. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the nurse prescribing in the addiction sector; and if consideration is being given to opioid substitution treatment prescribing [27394/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNurses play an key role in providing treatment interventions to clients with problematic drug use. Their work forms an important element of the addiction services response to the problem of substance use in our society.
HSE Addiction services across the country employ nurses and a comprehensive governance structure for these staff is currently being put in place. This includes the recent appointment of a Director of Nursing for HSE Addiction services.
Nurses also have a key role to play in implementing the six strategic priorities identified in the midterm review of the national drug strategy.
Based on the HSE report on action 2.1.14, of the National Drug Strategy in examining potential mechanisms to increase access to Opioid Substitution Therapies, there is currently no objective need for the introduction of nurse prescribing of OST/OAT.
The focus on Strategic Implementation Group 3 (SIG 3) is to develop integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users to achieve better health outcomes. The HSE Director of Nursing sits on SIG 3 to provide advice on harm reduction responses and integrated pathways for high risk drug users.
I am assured that the contribution of nurses will be kept to the fore in the provision of services for this vulnerable cohort.
190. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the regulation of vaping flavours. [27398/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to introduce legislation to further regulate nicotine inhaling products, and recently held a public consultation to inform this process which sought views on areas such as flavours, appearance and packaging and point of sale display for nicotine inhaling products. The consultation received 15,822 responses. These responses are being analysed and will inform the development of legislation alongside evidence reviews, regulatory impact assessment and legal advice to ensure that any regulation is effective.
191. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the dialectical behavioural therapy day service for dual diagnosis. [27399/24]
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.
192. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the primary care centre in Glanmire. [27401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the primary care centre in Blarney. [27402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
194. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the primary care centre in Mayfield. [27403/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken by the HSE to ensure long-Covid and immunocompromised patients can access Covid-19 booster vaccines, in particular a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/24]
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.
196. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for appointments with orthopaedic surgeon consultants in each of the Cork hospitals, in tabular form. [27416/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
197. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for treatment with orthopaedic surgeon consultants in each of the Cork hospitals, in tabular form. [27417/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
198. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the shortage of GPs in Cork who perform vasectomies; his Department’s plan to ensure that individuals will not be forced to pay privately to access this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27436/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Vasectomy services for men are not routinely provided by GPs nor is there a special items of service for vasectomies provided for under the GMS contract.
However, there local arrangements in some areas throughout the country with GPs for the provision of vasectomy services to GMS patients. In relation to the GP provision of vasectomy services for GMS patients in Cork, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter, as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his Department's work on providing statutory home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27463/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme of Government commitment to “introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high quality, regulated home care” requires focused effort across several different workstreams that are all contributing towards strengthening the statutory framework and improving the experiences of those receiving home support.
The first element that is being legislated for relates to the licensing and registration of home support providers. The General Scheme to establish a licensing framework for professional home support services delivered in the State - the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024 General Scheme - was approved by Government on 14 May 2024 and is published on the Department of Health’s website. It has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny and Department officials are due to meet with the Committee on 19 June 2024.
This Bill will provide for the regulation of the sector by HIQA. Final amendments have been made to draft regulations for home support providers following a public consultation and engagement with stakeholder groups. The Department has been working closely with HIQA, which has prepared draft quality standards that are expected to go out for public consultation Q3 2024.
As well as delivering on the legislative elements of this commitment, the Department is working to address the future financing of homecare, the reform of the model of service delivery and the breadth of issues relating to recruitment and retention in this sector; all in the context of unprecedented expansion of the State-funded home support service, nationally.
Over the last two years, extensive work has taken place within the Department of Health to progress the Programme of Government commitment, including but not limited to:
• Development of draft regulations, which were informed by a 6-week public consultation completed in August 2022. The consultation results were analysed and published, and have been incorporated in revisions to the draft regulations.
• Oversight of the pilot for testing of a reformed model of service for the delivery for homecare, which became fully operational in 4 Community Healthcare Organisations in this period. Evaluation of the pilot has been completed and reviewed.
• Ongoing engagement with the HSE on the continuing reform of the model of service delivery for home support. Funding has been provided for establishment of a National Home Support Office and the Head of Service, and a number of other posts have been recruited. The national rollout of interRAI as the new standard assessment tool for care-needs in the community is underway.
• Addressing the shortage of care workers in Ireland through establishing, in March 2022, a cross departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. After extensive engagement and consultation, in September 2022, the group published a report containing 16 recommendations to address workforce challenges. Implementation is being overseen by a cross-departmental Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health.
• Extensive engagement with the HSE and DPENDR on the establishment of the HSE home support tender in 2023, ensuring that it delivers on commitments for sectoral reform such as payment for travel time for home support providers, paying carers the National Living Wage at a minimum, and bringing legacy rates in line with the new revised rates of funding.
• Liaising with the DETE on bringing forward a statutory instrument authorising the issuance of 1,000 employment permits for home support workers.
• Commissioning multiple reports on potential demand, costs and charging models for home support, from the ESRI and the European Observatory on Health Systems. This research is being examined, as it forms an important part of the evidence base for the development of a sustainable funding model for home support services in the context of our ageing population.
• Expanding access to home support services through securing significant increases in funding through annual Estimates processes.
