Results 16,101-16,120 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services Waiting Lists (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I agree with all the Deputy's comments. We want to run our existing theatres, diagnostic suites and outpatient clinics for longer so that consultants and their patients can get more access to our current resources. As he correctly stated, this will require more theatre nurses, administrative support and technicians. We can get much more for patients out of our current capacity, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have provided for Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) for the recommended isolation period (currently 7 days), for civil and public servants nationally who contract Covid.  SLWP provides for paid leave, including full pay, any fixed allowances payable as well as premium payments. For certain employees who remain unfit to attend the workplace...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. Children’s Health Ireland is aware that there are vulnerable children with Spina Bifida amongst those waiting unacceptably long times for orthopaedic and other surgery and of the anguish and distress that this is causing....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) commenced in November 2021. The programme was established to enable unlicenced cannabis-based products to be prescribed for patients suffering from: - Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions. - Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Public Health Nurses play an extremely valuable role within the community healthcare system and provide an extensive range of services. This valuable role was highlighted as many Public Health Nurses, along with other front-line staff, were redeployed to assist and lead the Covid-19 response, in turn having an impact on the capacity of the delivery of day-to-day services. Since earlier...

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Directives (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: New EU regulations on medical and in vitro diagnostic devices have been fully applicable as of May 2021 and 2022, respectively. Their overarching objectives are to significantly strengthen the regulatory system, provide a framework that is robust, consistent and enhances public health by ensuring that medical devices are safe, perform as intended and afford benefits to patients and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I have witnessed the challenging conditions for patients and staff in the ED during recent visits to Limerick.  At my request, the HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit led an intensive engagement with UHL team members throughout the summer in response to my concerns about the ED performance and the findings of the HIQA report published in June. The PMIU’s...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: At the end of October, the total health service workforce stands at 136,092 WTE – that is a monthly increase of 848 WTE and a year-to-date (YTD) increase total of 3,769 WTE. There are 15,493 (WTE) employed as Nurses & Midwives in combined community services, 1,495 (WTE) or 9.6% of which were Public Health Nurses. During the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am very aware that Long COVID is having a devastating effect on people. To ensure people who need care will have access to it, the HSE has developed and is currently implementing a plan to provide Long COVID services nationally. 2.2 million has been allocated for 2022 and the investment in the service is due to treble to 6.6 million in 2023. Implementation involves the expansion of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I’d like to acknowledge the difficult conditions for patients, families and healthcare staff working in University Hospital Galway. I visited Galway earlier this year. It is clear that action is required there on multiple fronts and I am pleased to say that the interim ED opened in October 2022. While improving service delivery capability, the interim ED will also serve as enabling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019). Work has begun on this review and officials in my...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. Any decisions about changes to our screening programmes, such as extending the age range eligibility of a cancer screening programme, will be made on the advice of our...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: This week the Government has approved the Enhanced Provision of Elective Care Programme and the preferred locations for the development of new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway. In Cork, the preferred site is at St Stephen’s Hospital, Sarsfield Court. In December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am acutely aware that proposed changes to health services can cause considerable worry for staff and local communities affected.  I have made it clear to the HSE that there has been no change to the Government position, and that the HSE is not authorised to proceed with the reconfiguration of the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan or to implement a full...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide.  There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues. Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Health and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals in Ireland is a top priority for the Government. Department of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: There has been significant progress in Public Health Reform over the past 2 years. As agreed between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO in April 2021, a fully reformed model for public health including 84 Consultant posts is to be implemented by end 2023. The first phase (34 WTE) of recruitment is nearing conclusion and an interim National Director for Public Health has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector.  They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people. While the Government does provide assistance, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (8 Dec 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As 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.