Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on record my support for any measures that will help beat this virus. The Government plan is framed under a number of headings including: building capacity; service continuity; pathways to care; PPE; testing and contact tracing; public health; and e-health.

I agree that we need to address the building capacity in the current climate. The proposal to open an additional 251 acute beds and 89 acute beds from now until December and a further 232 acute beds in the first quarter of 2021 is to be welcomed and supported. It is stated in the plan that we can increase efficiency levels by 30% to 40% through new ways of working. If this can be achieved it will be welcome, but I would be interested to know how exactly this efficiency can be achieved and if successful why it has not been implemented prior to this. I welcome the that intermediate care capacity is to be expanded.

One of the measures being undertaken is the repurposing of some centres through refurbishments and extensions. I ask the Minister to expand on this and give a timeline for these measures. I am concerned that we need the measures now and when I hear that extensions and refurbishments are involved, I fear that these will be drawn out and not delivered on time. However, I welcome the plan for an additional 530 new rehabilitation beds to be operational by April 2021.

I note also that the HSE will once again enter into an arrangement with private hospitals should a surge in Covid cases happen. Again, I would be concerned at the costs involved. Can we be sure that we are getting full value for money? With regard to the service continuity section of the plan, I note that a restoration of services in the community is necessary for the continuation of support of people in maintaining health and well-being and to avoid activity being directed to acute settings.

As the Minister knows I have constantly advocated for the restoration of services to Louth County Hospital in Dundalk. The hospital in Dundalk is a fantastic facility and needs to be supported. Now is the perfect opportunity to increase the services at the hospital with this winter plan. Furthermore, any investment in the hospital is a long-term investment and not just for the winter season.

The Louth County Hospital in Dundalk has the potential to make a real difference to the north east. It can act as a real support to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, which as we know has suffered from capacity issues in the past. The investment at the Louth County Hospital will show real results immediately. I once more urge the Minister to consider the potential of the Louth County Hospital to make a real difference in this current crisis. I invite him to visit the hospital and see for himself the real difference it can make.

I note from the pathways to care section of the plan that it is planned to have a total of 20 hubs available from the period January to April 2021 and I welcome this. However, I am concerned that it is anticipated that only 70% of pre-Covid-19 productivity can be achieved with regard to emergency department pathways for non-Covid presentation. We must be aiming for 100% and more.

Unfortunately waiting lists have now reached record numbers standing now at 704,000 in total. This is unacceptable and must be properly addressed.

Cancer treatment services have also been reduced during the Covid crisis. While I understand the pressures that were placed on the health services, it is simply not right that those requiring cancer treatment or diagnosis were left untreated. This cannot be allowed continue. We must prioritise those who require urgent treatment. Cancer treatment must not suffer.

The plan notes that many centres are now struggling to deliver pre-Covid levels of service and this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The plan contains many proposals, but we need real action now.

In the section on PPE, testing and contact tracing, the plan states that the HSE is in the process of developing a sustainable Covid-19 test-and-trace service and that the new service model being developed will strengthen underpinning processes to ensure that the service is sustainable and of a high quality into the winter months and beyond. It also states that the detailed design for the final model is still a work in progress, which is unacceptable. How can a final model still only be a work in progress at this stage?

It is important that the HSE gets value for money in its purchasing of PPE. I am glad to note that this is mentioned in the plan although it only states that the HSE expects to achieve price reductions.

There is little mention of the flu vaccine in the plan other than stating it is to include two to 12 year olds. It is vital that we get the flu vaccine right. Many GPs are complaining that they do not have supplies of the vaccine now. We must not create a new problem with the flu vaccine in our fight with Covid. It is important for the Minister to make a statement on the availability of the flu vaccine and give clarity on the availability now.

I welcome the publication of the winter plan and while I agree with a substantial part of it, it is important that the Minister addresses the issues I have raised today. We need clarity on the value-for-money element of the plan to work with private hospitals, clarity on the continuing treatment for cancer sufferers to ensure that they do not become a victim of this pandemic, clarity on the testing-and-tracing system and why it is still only a work in progress and clarity on the availability on the flu vaccine.

I once more invite the Minister to visit the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk to see for himself the great work that is currently taking place there and the great potential the hospital has for additional services. I have no doubt once he sees the potential of this hospital, he will see how with some investment the Louth County Hospital will once more have the services that people of the north east deserve.

See this speech in context