Dr. Colm Henry:

I thank the Deputy. Part of our initiative to address waiting lists is to consider new ways of providing access to care rather than relying on traditional referral to consultants in hospitals with lengthy waiting lists. For example, we are expanding throughout the country a virtual fracture clinic that began in Tullamore hospital. This means that rather than waiting three weeks and making repeated visits to an in-person fracture clinic following an uncomplicated fracture, and that with the provision of extra physiotherapy and advanced nurse practitioners, we can provide next-day virtual fracture clinics with appropriate advice. The outcomes are as good and there is a high degree of patient satisfaction. This reflects much of the work that has happened since the pandemic began. We have seen a huge rise in the number of virtual clinics, all of which enjoy great satisfaction and very good outcomes and come under the governance of existing clinical pathways. This is one example of many pathways we are trying to expand and promote that involve diversifying the types of healthcare settings and professionals to which people can gain access to achieve the same outcome, perhaps more quickly and satisfactorily.