Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with most of the points made by Deputy Durkan. I take on board his question about how soon this will happen. I agree with him that we need a reliable health service. I will bring his point about a review at Naas General Hospital back to the Minister. We cannot have issues like that affecting families in that situation. I understand the impatience and concern of many of these families who do not see things moving quickly enough. I commend the Deputy on his personal commitment and how he was there at midnight last night and saw at first hand what was happening on the front line.

Attendances at accident and emergency departments are growing year on year. The health service capacity review published last year was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community - so there is already an agreement there - combined with widespread reform of the manner in which healthcare services are provided and their location. As set out in Sláintecare, moving care options for patients closer to their homes and into local communities is a key part of the solution. Improving timely access for patients is at the heart of Sláintecare. Building upon the progress made in recent years, the Sláintecare action plan 2019 published by my Department includes a specific work stream on accessing and waiting lists. In addition, many of the other service reforms included in the action plan will support timely access to care for patients in the coming years.

I also wish to clarify that there is no national recruitment embargo in the HSE. There is, however, a requirement for all HSE services to maintain or reach an affordable staffing level that is sustainable through 2019 and 2020 while prioritising the delivery of safe services within available resources. There has been an increase in the number of staff in the HSE, along with an increase of more than 250 doctors since the beginning of 2019. The number of WTE nurses and midwives has increased by almost 800 since September 2018.

The points raised by the Deputy are very serious. We need a review to see what is happening. The HSE has established a medical workforce and patient safety oversight group and workforce planning is incorporated in the Sláintecare action plan.

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