Written Answers Nos. 1670-1689
1670. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to make the drug NP thyroid, which is used to treat thyroid conditions and autoimmune diseases, available under the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34213/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNatural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) tablets are not on the formal GMS Reimbursement List and are an Exempt Medicinal Product not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). They have never been on the formal GMS Reimbursement List. However, the product is available on an exceptional basis under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements and the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).
1671. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek delivery of permanent funding costs of €8 million to enable the full roll-out of the specialist lymphoedema clinic model of care to all regional health areas as part of budget 2025 discussion and health service Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Group report Lymphoedema and Lipoedema Treatment in Ireland: A Model of Care for Ireland was endorsed by the HSE in 2019. Following this, the HSE provided approval to plan and implement this report through a Proof of Concept approach. The proof of concept approach was initially delivered in one specialist lymphoedema clinic in primary care and one early detection service.
The HSE developed two patient information documents, in conjunction with Lymphoedema Ireland, to provide advice to those living with lymphoedema or lipoedema. These documents also included links to videos in relation to exercise programmes, simple lymphatic drainage and skin care.
The patient information documents were distributed to all HSE lymphoedema services and by members of Lymphoedema Ireland. The information is also available on the websites of the HSE and Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
A funding allocation was provided for the delivery of the proof of concept and for the delivery of education including specialist training to healthcare professionals.
Decisions on funding of healthcare services will be made in the context of the upcoming Estimates process for 2025.
1672. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated for delivery of an adult ADHD service in Dublin north city and county; if his attention has been drawn to the fact Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City and County mental health services has not received resources for delivery of an adult ADHD service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34219/24]
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.
1673. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to provide additional funding to meet a surge in demand for mental health services for children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34220/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary Care Psychology is a large provider of psychological services at primary care and community level in Ireland. It provides a range of services of varying intensity, encompassing education, prevention, early intervention, and a range of treatments. It also plays a key role in signposting and escalation to secondary and tertiary services, both within psychology and across other disciplines.
The HSE reports that 10,143 referrals have been received by the Primary Care Psychology service nationally this year to the end of June, an increase of 8.7% on the 9,329 referrals received by the service in the same period last year
I recognise the central role that Primary Care therapy services play in offering the opportunity for early and cost-effective interventions for children and young people. I also acknowledge that the increasing waiting lists for the Primary Care services, and particularly those waiting for a long time to access services, is a source of real concern for clients and their families.
Recent increases in the level of referrals have resulted in increased pressure on Primary Care services. Coupled with this additional demand, the HSE also report an increase in the complexity of presentations in Primary Care, thus requiring more intensive interventions. My Department is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the HSE to address the issue of waiting lists through the development of both short-term and long-term strategies to address management of waiting lists for primary care therapies.
To this end, a programme of work is also currently underway between the Department and the HSE to address access to Primary Care therapy services and to develop a standardised infrastructure and protocols to support systematic responses to Primary Care waiting lists. This programmatic approach is aimed at ensuring consistency at a national level to waiting list management in Primary Care, to improve access to services regardless of location, as well as a greater understanding of the scale of demand, the drivers of demand and to allow for improved planning, interventions, investment considerations, enhanced productivity, and the most efficient use of capacity.
The national waiting list initiative in Primary Care Child Psychology Services, which targets those under the age of 18 years waiting over 52 weeks to access the service, removed 3,507 clients from the waitlist in 2022, and 3,521 clients in 2023.
Continued Waiting List Action Plan funding of €5m this year is targeting removals of 3,088 clients from the waitlist, with 2,234 removals completed this year to date to the end of June, 41.5% head of the target in the year to date.
Discussions in relation to the estimates process and Budget 2025 are ongoing, and any final decisions regarding funding allocations will be based on Governmental priorities, and in the context of my Department’s overall financial envelope for 2025.
1674. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 8 November 2023, if progress has been made regarding the payments made to District Medical Officers, as this reply stated that this matter was currently being considered (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34222/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe payment known as the District Medical Officer salary is an allowance paid to a small number of GPs to support them in the delivery of services in areas with reduced GMS populations. Although usually referred to as a 'salary', it is not in fact a salary and the DMOs concerned are not employees of the HSE.
My Department has received a request in relation to increasing the rate of payment to DMOs. The request is still under consideration, as such I am not yet in a position to indicate whether an increase will be possible.
1675. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a request by a person (details supplied) to have mental health and musculoskeletal injuries related parts of their medical record deleted under provisions of the Data Protect Act 2018 has been denied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34237/24]
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.
1676. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason an essential cancer treatment (details supplied) is not available in County Roscommon; if he will ensure this treatment is made available in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34249/24]
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.
1677. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a person cannot access an essential cancer treatment in a nearby town due to their being on the other side of the town and, therefore, in a different county, where the treatment is not available in their own county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34250/24]
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.
1678. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans to relocate a community mental health facility (details supplied) in Cork; when this relocation is expected to occur; if the relocation is permanent; if any temporary improvements will be made to the current facility until the relocation happens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34254/24]
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.
1679. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34255/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1680. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline, in relation to the news that the embargo was lifted on recruitment and that if anyone leaves a post in the future their post is not guaranteed to be refilled, the reason the information on the terms of this embargo lift not been shared with the public. [34276/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1681. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the news that the embargo was lifted on recruitment and that if anyone leaves a post in the future their post is not guaranteed to be refilled, how this is going to be helpful for the delivery of clinical care. [34277/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1683. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the news that the embargo was lifted on recruitment and that if anyone leaves a post in the future their post is not guaranteed to be refilled, where are the needs analysis and risk assessment for making this decision. [34279/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1684. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the news that the embargo was lifted on recruitment and that if anyone leaves a post in the future their post is not guaranteed to be refilled, the consideration given to vision for change/share the vision multidisciplinary post requirements (details supplied). [34281/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1680, 1681, 1683 and 1684 together.
Filling of posts are based on assessment of service need within the Regional health service area. The HSE will conduct a needs analysis and risk assessment if required when a post is being renewed. The HSE Vision for Change Policy will continue to be utilised to ensure Mental Health units are supported in their roles.
1682. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline, in relation to the news that the embargo was lifted on recruitment and that if anyone leaves a post in the future their post is not guaranteed to be refilled, whether he will make changes to ensure clinical managers do not have to spend time getting posts they have lost back, but rather can spend their time on important progressive issues such as improving and developing services. [34278/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1685. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he intends to make payment of the funding secured in 2024 for the community cancer support centres (details supplied); if this funding will be made available annually going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 acknowledges 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 model of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community cancer support centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families. These centres provide a range of services, including information and advice about cancer, psychological and emotional support, and survivorship programmes to patients during and after their cancer treatment and are invaluable to those they support. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities.
In 2024, I allocated €3m on a once-off basis to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres. My Department has been notified by the NCCP that all of this funding has now been allocated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services. Funding for current expenditure, including cancer services, is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process.
1686. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/24]
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.
1687. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current number of people awaiting an appointment at the severe asthma clinic in Merlin Hospital Galway; the length of time those referred have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34285/24]
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.
1688. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34287/24]
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.
1689. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that developmental checks are no longer taking place from Old Country Road public health nurses; if he will raise this with the HSE as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34289/24]
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.
