I propose to take amendments Nos. 31 and 55 together. These amendments are technical in nature and relate to the sections of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 that enable the respective regulators to make rules. The Bill inserts a new subsection (15)(c) into section 20 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. This section deals with the membership, functions and procedures of committees of council and subcommittees of committees. The new subsection (15)(c) provides that subcommit…

I propose to take amendments Nos. 32 to 34, inclusive, and 56 to 58, inclusive, together. The Bill as passed by the House amends the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 to provide that where subcommittees of the preliminary proceedings committee, PPC, and the fitness to practise committee, FPC, are established pursuant to rules, these subcommittees can perform any of the functions of the respective committees as if they were the committees. This was aimed at better utilising the time…

Section 36 of the Medical Practitioners Act addresses areas of overlap between the practice of medicine and other health professions. Under existing legislation, where a person holds a dual qualification in medicine and another health professions, for example, dentistry, this section allows them to lawfully practice those areas of dentistry which overlap with medicine without having to be on the register of medical practitioners. Section 37 provides that a person must be registered with the Medical Council in order…

I propose to discuss Seanad amendments Nos. 51, 52 and 62 together. Sections 88 and 89 of the Medical Practitioners Act set out the duty of the Medical Council in respect of education and training for medical qualifications. They require the Medical Council to approve programmes of training and the bodies which deliver the training. However, while the Act is explicit that the council may refuse to approve a body as a body which may deliver undergraduate or postgraduate training programmes, the Act does not explicit…

The Bill, as passed by this House, amends the Health Act 2004 to give the Minister for Health the power to designate the HSE as the competent authority to compare the equivalence of non-Irish qualifications with the qualifications assessed for certain health professions. These are professions which are not regulated on a statutory basis but which are regulated for the purpose of the EU professional qualification directive and for which the Minister is currently the competent authority. Concerns were raised on Commi…

I thank Deputies for raising these important matters and giving me the opportunity to speak on them. I would also like to congratulate my colleague, Deputy Moynihan, on his appointment as Chairman of the new committee that has been formed. It is very important that we put a significant emphasis on the disability sector. There is no doubt that this has been an extremely difficult time for people and their families. We all share a common desire to have the best possible policies and services for all children, adolesc…

This is my first time to speak in this fantastic Seanad Chamber. I took Commencement matters in the Dáil yesterday, but I think at times we forget that this is such a fantastic building. I am pleased to be here. I want to thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue and I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. There are huge challenges to meet in respect of the provision of GP and out-of-hours services, particularly in rural areas. Please be assured that the Government is c…

I acknowledge the important role that GPs play in the delivery of our health service and their commitment to providing a responsive and high-quality out-of-hours service to patients. This has never been more visible than in recent months but at any time it is a key strength in the delivery of healthcare. The Senator is quite right that GPs are the beating heart of most communities, and it is a significant source of comfort to residents to know that there is a GP close at hand. I accept that retaining GPs in practic…

I thank Senator Keogan for welcoming me to the Seanad and congratulate her on being selected to become a Senator. The Senator has tabled a very important Commencement matter. She mentioned older persons and I am very conscious that this is International Day of Older Persons. This discussion is also timely as we face into a winter with Covid-19, the winter vomiting bug and the winter flu. I am delighted to be here to respond. We are all aware of the impact that Covid has had on our healthcare system and communities.…

The 2020-21 influenza vaccination season will be the tenth year that pharmacists have been permitted to provide a vaccination service to patients on pharmacy premises. It is considered appropriate to build on the existing good practice and patient trust to further develop this service in order to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the public. The Senator is quite right that the community pharmacists are an untapped resource and offer a fantastic service in all our communities. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is l…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Senator for their kind words. This is an important issue, and my answer almost follows on from the previous Commencement matter. I thank the Senator for raising the issue. Seasonal influenza poses a significant challenge to vulnerable patients, the healthcare system and, in particular, the hospital sector. That challenge has never been more pronounced than it is this year, given the backdrop of Covid. To mitigate as much as possible the pressure on the health services that wo…

As we know, influenza can be a serious illness for people in the at-risk groups, which can lead to hospitalisation and even death. To take on board the Senator's point again, the quantities of vaccines made available to sites will be increased in line with the amounts received into the country. I take on board the Senator's point, however, and I will bring it back to the Minister. When people have the mindset that they would like to get the vaccine now before the weather changes, it is important that sufficient qua…

I thank Senator Bacik for raising this issue in such a constructive manner. Obviously, for the service users and some of the former residents and their families, this has been very challenging and difficult. A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible, with the correct wraparound supports. In recent years there has been a shift of focus in healthcare provision towards home care. Home support services are k…

I thank the Senator very much for her answer and for the constructive approach she has taken on this matter. As she has quite rightly said, this centre is these people's home from home. It is where they have spent many years of their lives. Their families have gone through many challenges because, as the Senator correctly stated, the HSE advised that this action was neither expected nor anticipated and was contrary to what the board of management had advised. To reiterate, an independent advocacy service was utilis…

I thank all Deputies who contributed to this important debate today. I welcome the opportunity to make the closing remarks to it. I have taken notes and will pass individual requests back. The suggestions made and the issues raised will be borne in mind as the winter plan is implemented. I was disappointed that not one Member today welcomed the fact that €830,000 will be spent on ten dementia advisers. I sat on the opposite side of the House for the past four and a half years and I championed the appointment of dem…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the development of regional rehabilitation services in the South/South West Hospital Group. This is an important issue for all of those who live in the area. Rehabilitation is a critical component of any modern healthcare system and is essential if patients are to regain or maintain their quality of life after serious illness or injury. Rehabilitation improves health outcomes and reduces disability. There is…

Emergency trauma and medical care is now more responsive and effective and more people are surviving catastrophic injuries with complex life-changing neurological, vascular and orthopaedic effects. This has led to an overwhelming requirement for specialist rehabilitation services which are essential if patients are to regain or maintain a quality of life after serious illness or injury. It is important to note that the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future has committed to the continued implementation of the …

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home. I heard about it recently. A key principle underpinning Government policies is to support older people to live in their homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible. In recent years there has been a shift in healthcare provision focused towards home care. Home support services are key in facilitating older people to remain at home, and with our ageing population, they will become even more important in the future. Wh…

To reiterate for the Deputy, the HSE has confirmed that it is committed to ongoing improvements in the unit, which is the first thing. The current capital programme of works is managed, as we have said, and many improvements have taken place. The Deputy can correct me if I am wrong, but I am unsure if this facility was ever included in a capital plan after prior commitments had been given. I have been informed it is not currently included.

As I have mentioned earlier, the HSE intends to move the emphasis of the Dean Maxwell facility in Roscrea away from long-term to short-term stay. There has been investment at Dean Maxwell in recent times and the HSE has confirmed its commitment to the ongoing provision of services. It is very important as we leave here this evening on this topic that this point has to be made very clear. Whereas a new build is not included in the HSE capital plan, as I have just said, there has been investment and a commitment give…