Written Answers Nos. 731-751
731. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of long-stay elderly-care beds there will be in Roscrea town following the proposed purchase of a nursing home (details supplied) in the town this year, as proposed in the HSE capital plan. [29361/24]
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.
732. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his position regarding requests by an organisation (details supplied) to provide sustainable funding for national physiotherapy services for people with multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions, totalling €880,000 per annum across all 9 CHOs and an increase of €627,000 in annual investment in the national MS respite centre to build on the €250,000 delivered in 2024. [29369/24]
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.
733. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct his Department to investigate an issue (details supplied); if management at Tallaght Hospital was aware of these facts before taking this action; and if he will provide an update on this matter. [29382/24]
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.
734. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if funding has been approved for a charity (details supplied); if so, when it will receive the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29384/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology models of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community cancer support centres (CCSCs) are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for CCSCs was published in March 2022. The NCCP Alliance of CCSCs was also established in 2022. The NCCP Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance. I have allocated additional funding of €3 million in 2024, which will support members of the NCCP Alliance.
Some centres and groups currently receive funding resources through their local Community Healthcare Organisations in the HSE.
Officials in my Department are examining funding opportunities complementary to the existing schemes that may be utilised to support the organisation in question.
735. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by Naas General Hospital under the National Treatment Purchase Plan for the years 2022 to 2024; and the breakdown of services provided, in tabular form [29387/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided my Department with the attached table which outlines the specialties for which treatment was procured by the NTPF, for patients on waiting lists at Naas General Hospital, for the time periods requested.
The table includes treatments sourced through private hospitals (outsourcing) and public hospitals (insourcing).
Information as at 08/07/2024
Naas NTPF Outsourcing IPDC Treatments Arranged 2022-2024 to date
|
Waiting List Type |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
IPDC (excl Scope) |
12 |
5* |
5* |
22 |
|
Scopes |
163 |
551 |
253 |
967 |
|
Grand Total |
175 |
554 |
256 |
989 |
* Denotes small figures which have been adjusted to anonymise patients
Naas NTPF Insourcing IPDC Treatments Arranged 2022-2024 to date
|
Waiting List Type |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Scopes |
811 |
1,909 |
1,430 |
4,150 |
|
Grand Total |
1,909 |
1,430 |
4,150 |
Naas NTPF Outsourcing Outpatients Treatments arranged 2022-2024 to date
|
Waiting List Type |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Outpatient Outsourcing |
I |
71 |
103 |
174 |
|
Grand Total |
0 |
71 |
103 |
174 |
Naas NTPF Insourcing Outpatients Treatments arranged 2022-2024 to date
|
Waiting List Type |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Outpatient |
2,923 |
3,392 |
1,868 |
8,183 |
|
Grand Total |
2,923 |
3,392 |
1,868 |
8,183 |
736. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to establish a postnatal hub in Wicklow. [29388/24]
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.
737. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the WTE staffing composition of the National Ambulance Service as of 1 June 2022, 1 June 2023 and 1 June 2024, in tabular form. [29389/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
738. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress made in assessing the suitability of the Palmershill site in Cashel, County Tipperary for the proposed community nursing unit; the cost of preparations for the overall project, including all site assessments and architectural services, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29399/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
739. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if all podiatry services previously at local health clinics across Sligo have been relocated to a central hub in Sligo town; if so, the reason; if this will be a permanent arrangement; the extent of staffing vacancies in this service; the number of approved posts which are unfilled; the number of posts subject to the recruitment moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/24]
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.
740. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason for the closure of the pain management service at Sligo University Hospital; the number of approved consultant posts in this field working across the Saolta Hospital Group and Health Region West and North West; the number of filled posts, permanent and temporary, in tabular form; the steps he will take to re-open the pain services in the west and north west and ensure local access to pain services in line with Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29416/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reason for the closure of this service is that the two consultant doctors providing the Chronic Pain service in Sligo University Hospital are both moving to new roles. The HSE advises that recruitment to fill these posts is ongoing and everything is being done to minimise impact on patients.
As an interim measure, and until the new consultants are in post, alternative arrangements are being put in place for patients who are currently attending the service. These arrangements include appointments being offered in Kingsbridge Sligo for procedures and exploring outsourcing with NTPF.
A locum Consultant will commence in July to oversee the governance of the Pain Management and Education a psychologically-based rehabilitative treatment for people with persistent pain.
With regard to the number of approved consultant posts in this field working across the Saolta Hospital Group and Health Region West and North West; the number of filled posts, permanent and temporary, in tabular form is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the healthcare-therapies available under the HSE in a facility (details supplied); the frequency of the therapies-healthcare available; the number of staff providing therapies; the number of patients being seen weekly for those therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29425/24]
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.
742. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the services being provided under CAMHS and POLL at a centre (details supplied); the operating hours for services; the number of staff; the number of staff vacancies; the length of time the positions have been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29426/24]
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.
743. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons seen by CAMHS and POLL at a centre (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29427/24]
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.
744. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a national dementia registry; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I became Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People in 2020, I have worked to progressively increase funding for dementia services and supports so that everyone with dementia, and their families, has the support 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 25 Regional Specialist Memory Clinics nationwide, as well as new Memory Assessment and Support Services and 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 their carers, to provide free and confidential support including help with connecting with essential services, often at a time of crisis.
For 2024 an additional recurring €500,000 has been allocated for dementia day care at home, as well as €300,000 in once-off funding for weekend activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. The additional day care at home has commenced, and the weekend activity clubs are scheduled to start in September.
I will continue to prioritise the needs of people living with dementia, and their families, and build on the existing provisions which are in place. I fully support the rollout of a National Dementia Registry to improve data collection on dementia and the need to expand dementia services further in order to support people affected by dementia. All developments will have to be considered in a wider budgetary and policy context as part of the 2025 Estimates process.
745. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 12 June 2024, his views on the reply and assertions therein (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29493/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of plantar fasciitis, it is important to note that common causes of the condition include
• exercising on hard surfaces
• exercising with a tight calf or heel
• overstretching the sole of your foot during exercise
• doing a lot more walking, running or standing up than usual
• wearing shoes with poor cushioning or support
• being very overweight
While many grades of staff in the public health sector who, due to the nature of their role, may spend substantial parts of their working day on their feet, it is important to note that employees from very many sectors, both public and private, performing a multitude of roles, may also spend substantial parts of their working day on their feet.
Noting that the common causes set out above (taken from the HSE's website at www2.hse.ie/conditions/plantar-fasciitis/) are many in nature and are not specifically linked to the delivery of any role in the workplace, it is not proposed to introduce any special provisions for staff of the health service who may suffer from plantar fasciitis.
746. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health how health delivery will be improved for communities outside the major population centres by the introduction of his e-health strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29509/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the recently published digital health strategy 'Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030', was not intended to differentiate between those people who live in communities outside the major population centres and those who live in the cities, there are nonetheless important components within it that will be significantly beneficial for people who live further from the larger cities.
The strategy describes the need to leverage digital to empower patients, to provide them more access to their own digital health records, to deliver electronic health records and find ways to join up all data about every patient, regardless of where or when they have been treated, so that we can create a comprehensive digital health record for every person.
This is of particular relevance to patients who live far from the main cities where the majority of tertiary and specialist hospitals are located hospitals, but must nonetheless be accessible to people coming from all over the country, in order to receive particular care and treatment required. Under these circumstances, it is likely that someone who does not live in one of the larger cities and does not therefore have access to a large hospital nearby, might have their health records spread across multiple entities/ healthcare sites, in the community and in acute hospitals, so when treatment is needed, the task of collating patient medical history and records is especially challenging. With digital health solution in place, firstly, more patient data will be recorded digitally, and secondly, it will become possible for that data to be collated quickly and made available to the treating clinician, whenever and wherever they are providing care and treatment.
Furthermore, in terms of patient empowerment, patients will have access to their own digital health information so can share that with the healthcare professional they are dealing with, whenever and wherever that may be.
There are other examples we could describe of course, with telehealth and telemonitoring being obvious examples, where physical distance from healthcare services is a challenges. For instance, two Acute Virtual Wards have recently been established in UL Hospital, Limerick and St Vincent's Dublin. These allow people to go home from hospital earlier, if the only reason they remain in hospital is for basic monitoring, rather than active care and treatment. One might argue this is even more beneficial for patients who live further from the cities, further from their home and family.
There are also telehealth projects connecting a number of islands on the western seaboard and there are numerous other initiatives supporting patients with COPD and other chronic diseases, helping them to self manage their conditions, and avoid long trips to tertiary hospitals that are located far away. The pandemic also introduced the option for patients to have a virtual outpatient appointment, where clinically appropriate. There are too many example of older people having to drive long distances, park their cars, and wait in outpatient clinicals, all for just a 10 minute consult that does not require a physical examination. The strategy supports all initiatives of this type, but with patient choice and safety remaining paramount.
The digital health strategic framework is based on extensive stakeholder engagement and framed around six simple principles. It will be followed by a HSE Digital Health Implementation Roadmap that will be published very soon.
A copy of the Departments digital health strategic framework can be found here;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3ad02-minister-for-health-publishes-digital-for-care-a-digital-health-framework-for-ireland-2024-2030/
747. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for an acid test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [29540/24]
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.
748. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the catering service in the UL Hospitals Group is in-house or outsourced; if the same provider is in use across the UL Hospitals Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29543/24]
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.
749. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who having been referred for an autism assessment by the public health nurse in September 2022 has yet to receive an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29569/24]
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.
750. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pause on the roll-out of dementia-specific intensive home care packages in Waterford/CHO5, citing a need for clarity on a standard operating procedure; the reason it is requiring political intervention to get packages approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29577/24]
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.
Year on year I have ensured home supports for people affected by dementia is a priority. In Budget 2024, I continued to prioritise this by providing an additional €500,000 to increase the provision of in-home dementia day care for people.
The Home Support Service is funded by Government to deliver a volume of services each year, as approved in the HSE National Service Plan. It is a non-statutory service and access to the current service is based on assessment of the person’s needs by the HSE, having regard to the available resources and the competing demands for the service.
Home Support is provided to people based on clinically assessed need regardless of diagnosis, including those individuals with a diagnosis of dementia within the Waterford catchment area.
As at the end of May 2024, there were 47 individuals awaiting a new Home Support service while 181 individuals were awaiting additional supports in conjunction with their current Home Support services within the Waterford city and county catchment area.
This waiting list results from carer capacity issues both within the HSE Health Care Assistant (Home Support) staffing and within the private provider agencies which are included in the Home Support Authorisation Scheme.
Local Home Support Services and Public Health nursing services continue to work collaboratively in ensuring that appropriate levels of support are provided to service-user with dementia to ensure access to appropriate dementia supports.
Home support is a crucial part of the support for older people living with dementia in the community. This year the minimum proportion of new home support hours allocated to people with dementia has increased to 18%, up from 15% in 2023.
751. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were on the child psychology primary care waiting list but aged out of the service, from 2018 to date, by CHO and LHO, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29584/24]
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.
