Monday, 9 Sep 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1784-1798

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (1784, 1785)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1784. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2510 of 23 July 2024, to provide an update on the subject access request/public-benefit corporation by the project team and the University Hospital Galway (UHG) capital programme oversight board for the new emergency department, women and children’s block in UHG; the timeline for when it is expected to move to pre-tender stage; to provide an update on the master plan for the UHG campus; the timeline for when it is expected to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35028/24]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1785. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to outline the maternity facilities planned as part of the new women and children’s block in University Hospital Galway (UHG); the timeline for the completion of the new women and children’s block; the details of any interim maternity facilities planned for UHG, given the delays in the delivery of the new women and children’s block; the timeline for the delivery of any such interim facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35029/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1784 and 1785 together.

There are a number of significant capital investment proposals for the University Hospital Galway (UHG) campus. These include, but is not limited, to a new Emergency Department, Women and Children’s Block, a regional Cancer Centre, new in-patient ward capacity, and replacement laboratories.

In order to deliver proposals of such complexity and scale on a congested site that must continue to be able to deliver healthcare on a daily basis, a Capital Programme Oversight Board has been established by Saolta. This Board was tasked with developing an integrated, strategic masterplan for UHG by way of a Development Control Plan (DCP) for the campus.

The Board has met 11 times to date, with the most recent meeting held on Friday 6 September 2024.

On 22 July 2024, a Programme Project Manager was appointed with the responsibility for leading and managing the progression of the DCP and an options appraisal process for the masterplan. This Programme Project Manager, alongside a design team, is being supported by a health planning team. The DCP and options appraisal process for the masterplan is expected to be complete in Q4 2024.

The proposed Emergency Department, Women and Children’s Block will provide state of the art maternity facilities including a Labour & Delivery Unit (providing both Standard Delivery Rooms and a 'Home from Home' Unit), three theatres and associated rooms, a Maternity Day Assessment Unit, a Foetal Assessment Unit, Antenatal and Postnatal Wards, and on-call accommodation. These facilities will bring the quality of accommodation available to women to an appropriate standard, support positive birth experiences, and improve patient safety and quality of care.

The Strategic Assessment Report for the Emergency Department, Women and Children’s Block has been reviewed by my Department and has been returned to the HSE with feedback. This document will now be subsumed into a Strategic Assessment Report/Preliminary Case (SAR/PBC). Saolta’s Capital Programme Oversight Board has been tasked with developing that SAR/PBC into a more integrated and strategic plan aligned to the wider campus master planning.

The approach of the Capital Programme Oversight Board will ensure that the much-needed capital investment in Galway will be based on current and future population demand, reflect integrated service capacity needs, is achievable, affordable, and represents value for money.

Question No. 1785 answered with Question No. 1784.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (1786)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1786. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2512 of 23 July 2024, for any update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; the status of the appointment of the architect-led design team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35030/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.  

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (1787)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1787. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any assessment carried out by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department into the adequacy of existing maternity care facilities at University Hospital Galway; when was the assessment carried out; the details of any reports completed or published on foot of the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35031/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Organ Donation

Ceisteanna (1788)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1788. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the opt-out register introduced as part of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024; when the register will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35032/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024 was passed by the Dáil on 21 February 2024 and signed into law by the President on 28 February 2024.

The Act is a composite piece of legislation that includes provisions around organ donation and transplantation, post-mortem practice and procedures, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death. Crucially, it embeds in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive areas. 

The Act provides, for the first time, a national legislative framework for organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. In doing so, it introduces a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation meaning that when a person dies it is presumed that they would wish to donate their organs after their death unless they have made a statement of objection to donation. However, it is important to stress that family members will always be consulted before any action is taken.

Furthermore, under the legislation, those who object to organ donation, for whatever reason, can record their objection on a new Register that is to be established. The wishes of individuals on the Register will be respected in full, and their family will not be approached on the issue of organ donation. 

I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to commence the provisions of this Act at the earliest opportunity. There are a number of necessary elements which must be in place before this legislation can come into operation, e.g. supporting legislation, guidelines, and relevant codes of practice. Work is underway in the Department of Health and in the HSE to prepare for the commencement of the provisions concerning organ donation and transplantation including the opt-out register, at the earliest possible opportunity.

Until the Act is commenced, the conditions for organ donation and transplantation in the State remain unchanged. Before any changes to the law take effect, there will be an information campaign to inform the public of the changes and give guidance on how an objection to donation can be registered.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (1789)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1789. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35033/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1790)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

1790. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) has requested further funding to cover the shortfall of the voluntary settlement with revenue, if he has approved the proposed twofold price increase to the certificate cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35039/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council received an allocation for 2024, for which a Letter of Determination was issued at the beginning of the year.

As with any necessary, once-off expenditure that arises after the issuance of a Letter of Determination, treatment of any potential shortfall arising from the voluntary settlement will be addressed through established budgetary processes later in 2024.

My Department is engaged in ongoing liaison with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council to ensure effective oversight and financial planning.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (1791)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

1791. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the timeline for commencement of HSE recruitment for non-medical staff in the new national children’s hospital in Dublin 8. [35053/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (1792)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

1792. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if there is a shortage, or potential shortage, of the chemicals or medication necessary for chemotherapy treatments in any Irish hospitals; the remedial measures he will adopt to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35061/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Dear Deputy Carthy,

To inform the response to your question, my Officials have consulted with Ireland’s medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

The HPRA is aware that Baxter Healthcare Ireland had previously temporarily paused production of compounded medicines at their Sandyford facility as a precautionary measure. This manufacturing disruption impacted supply of compounded Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) products along with other products manufactured at the Sandyford site. This ongoing disruption is impacting the supply of some compounded SACT products to hospitals.

The HPRA is engaging closely with Baxter Healthcare Ireland and understands that the company is working towards resolution of the identified manufacturing issues and has commenced releasing products to customers, working towards increasing its production capacity to facilitate full restoration of supply.

The NCCP understand that Baxter’s production has recommenced on a phased approach, and they are utilising all available resources to mitigate patient impact including provision of stock products from UK companies. 

16 of the 26 hospitals that provide SACT services have local compounding facilities and are less affected than the 10 hospitals that do not have local compounding facilities. The hospitals mainly impacted are those who are completely dependent on outsourcing their compounded SACT.

Contingency measures recommended by the NCCP are being implemented by hospitals where possible, and appropriate, to reduce the impact to patients. These mitigations include, utilising alternative SACT suppliers, preparing some SACT locally where possible and engaging with other hospitals to provide support with the supply of SACT.

Ensuring patients receive timely and quality treatment for their cancer remains a priority for the NCCP and the HSE. The HPRA are also liaising with relevant HSE partners to deliver a coordinated response to this matter and to ensure the return of standard levels of supply. This remains the absolute priority of all parties involved.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1793)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

1793. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the current visiting hours for in-patients operating within each public hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35062/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1794)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

1794. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the expansion of in-patient visiting hours at Cavan hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35063/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1795)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

1795. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health for details of the process of creating a job description for the post of director of psychology in the South West Regional Health Area in the months leading up to that recruitment process commencing in July 2024, namely, when the original job description was written, by whom it was written, which psychology managers were consulted on it, and how these particular psychology managers were selected over a more open consultation with the heads of Psychology Services Ireland. [35067/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Recruitment for Clinical roles is a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health would not normally be consulted for roles of this nature. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1796)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

1796. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the rationale for recruiting a director of psychology in the South-West Regional Health Area, and not developing directorships for other disciplines such as occupational therapy and social work. [35068/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Recruitment for Clinical roles is a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health would not normally be consulted for roles of this nature. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1797)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

1797. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the reason for recruiting a director of psychology in the South-West Regional Health Area, and not in other regional health areas. [35069/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Recruitment for Clinical roles is a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health would not normally be consulted for roles of this nature. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1798)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

1798. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of additional psychology staff, per grade, the Department is committing to recruiting to address the crisis in primary care psychology waiting-lists in CHO 4, and when he expects this recruitment drive to commence, in tabular form. [35070/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Recruitment for Clinical roles is a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health would not normally be consulted for roles of this nature. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy on this matter.

• Written Answers Nos. 1768-1783
• Written Answers Nos. 1799-1815