Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Shanahan. I know he has raised the matter of cardiac care in the south east, as did the Acting Chair, Deputy Butler, earlier today. I know this is an important issue in the south east. I accept that we are not yet where we want to be, but I also acknowledge that there has been significant focus on trying to improve the outcome. We have had a mobile unit for a significant period. We gave sanction for a second cath lab since 24-7 coverage cannot be provided without a second cath lab. There is also a national review because, in any country, there is a limit to the number of services that can be provided 24-7. The question is whether there is a fair distribution and the people in the south east make a strong argument that there is not, but we need a national clinical review to determine how we best distribute that in a safe, appropriate, fair and equitable way across the country. The chair of that review is Professor Philip Nolan who has become well-known to all of us through his work with NPHET. I take the Deputy's point that this is an issue regardless of whether I may or may not be in government. I will continue to give it my attention. I suggest that we got a lot done in the last Oireachtas by Oireachtas Members from the south east coming together for regular meetings. I think we should do that again. I will send a transcript of this exchange to the CEO of the HSE and ask that he provide an update, particularly about the important issue the Deputy raises about slippage and delay in construction timelines.

On the use of private hospitals, in my view, there was not an ideology involved. There was pragmatism, since we needed to get every bit of extra capacity that we could for a massive surge that thankfully, due to the incredible efforts of the Irish people, did not come to pass in the way that it could have. I have figures here that show 11,531 public patients benefited from inpatient procedures. Some 46,298 public patients benefited from day case procedures. Some 71,967 patients benefited from diagnostic procedures. Some 44,865 public patients benefited from outpatient appointments. Tens of thousands of public patients utilised hospitals. Bizarrely, I am pleased that there was vacant capacity in private hospitals. In other words, it was an insurance policy that we did not need.

Was it ideal? No. Are there lessons to be learned? Yes. Do we now need a better deal in future? Absolutely, and we should be honest and humble enough to admit that. Deputy Shanahan's point regarding extra posts was well made and I think I have dealt with it already. I welcome the comments of the HSE CEO on that today. There is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to try to ensure we provide the additional posts so that those who came back to Ireland to help and those that did not leave Ireland because of the travel restrictions can work in the Irish public health service. We very much need them. I also agree with the Deputy's point regarding the need for new contracts for consultants, building on the GP contracts, but also for pharmacists. Whomever is the Minister for Health in the new Government will have much work to do on contractual reform if we are to deliver the health service that we envisage and want through Sláintecare.

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