Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1294. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE universal guidelines on bras, prostheses and wigs will be published; the funding to be allocated for the implementation of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63669/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1295. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons undergoing radical radiotherapy treatment who commenced treatment within 15 working days of being deemed ready to treat by the radiation oncologist not including palliative care patients in each of the months from 1 January 2019 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63670/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1296. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons who attended prostate rapid access clinics; the number and proportion who attended within the recommended ten working days each quarter between 1 January 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63671/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1297. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of all prostate cancer diagnoses made as a result of a person’s attendance at a prostate rapid access clinic in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63672/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1298. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons who attended lung rapid access clinics; the number and proportion who attended within the recommended 20 working days each quarter between 1 January 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63673/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1299. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of all lung cancer diagnoses made as a result of an individual’s attendance at a lung rapid access clinic in the years 1 January 2016 to 30 November 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63674/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1300. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons who attended symptomatic breast disease clinics; the number and proportion who attended each quarter for each of the pathways, urgent recommended two weeks and non-urgent 12 weeks between 1 January 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63675/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1301. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of all breast cancer diagnoses made as a result of a person’s attendance at symptomatic breast disease clinics in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 2022 and date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63676/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1302. To ask the Minister for Health if a service provided by the HSE in Crumlin, Dublin 12 could be restored (details supplied); and the reason for its removal from the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63680/22]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1303. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the current neurofibromatosis clinic has been left understaffed and underfunded, that it is now closed to new patients, and with an inability to access treatment of serious import to children, their health and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63681/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1304. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there will be a designated neurofibromatosis clinic at the new children’s hospital; if he will ensure that this designated neurofibromatosis clinic will have the full complement of specialisms to include consultant dermatology, neuropsychiatry, psychology and associated teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63682/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1305. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which access to the current neurofibromatosis clinic will be restored for all children in Ireland living with neurofibromatosis and therefore requiring its care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63683/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1306. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the condition of neurofibromatosis and medical centres to treat children with the condition do not receive the State’s attention and funding of other neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63684/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1307. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will supply a date by which the lack of appropriate staff and diagnostic equipment at the neurofibromatosis clinic at CHI Tallaght will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63685/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1308. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the current neurofibromatosis clinic is without a resident specialist dermatologist, neuro-psychiatrist and psychologist given that these specialisms are deemed integral to the need and treatment of children with the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63686/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1309. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will allow the current neurofibromatosis clinic to accept an OCT machine privately-funded and fundraised by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63687/22]

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1310. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that there is no current pathway from paediatric to adult care for persons aged 16 years and above with neurofibromatosis; the date on which such a pathway will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63688/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1303 to 1310, inclusive, together.

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

Photo of Francis Noel DuffyFrancis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1311. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the issue surrounding gender-affirming care wait times; and if members of the trans community will be consulted about this issue. [63696/22]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the matter of wait times is an operational matter, I am referring this question to the HSE for part response.

The Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.

A model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults was developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The HSE model of care is underpinned by a local response model including general practice, psychology and CAMHS, working with specialist mental health and endocrinology services. Complex cases would be referred onto tertiary specialist care. The model of care is partly implemented within community services. The model of care deals with services for children and adults. Children can be referred to paediatric up until the age of 18 years. An adult service is provided by the national gender service in St Colmcille’s Hospital.

A steering committee which was established to examine the development of the HSE transgender identity services produced a report in 2020. This committee included representatives of all stakeholders, including advocacy representatives, and was chaired by Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain on behalf of the chief clinical officer. The report acknowledged the additional funding made available to develop services in recent years. It also advised on the development of seamless interfaces between agencies providing gender services. The committee agreed a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry in CHO 7 and CHI to develop the service for those aged under 18 (and to replace the current system of psychological support provided by the Tavistock Clinic). This consultant psychiatrist would develop and lead a MDT to support the delivery of gender identity services for those under 18. This position has been advertised twice but is not yet filled.

The Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health and Older People held a constructive meeting with a number of clinicians from the National Gender Service. The Minister for Health also held a subsequent meeting with Noah Halpin from TENI. It is intended that a number of other meetings clinicians and stakeholders in this area will be held to hear the range of views and proposals.

I believe the development of a service in Ireland for children and young people is essential. It is the priority of the Department of Health and the HSE to provide a transgender healthcare service that meets the needs of children and young people.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.