Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and accept the comments made by Deputies Collins, Smith and Ó Snodaigh regarding this important issue. We all agree that public health nurses play an extremely valuable role in the community healthcare system, providing an extensive range of services vital to local communities across the country, including in Drimnagh, and that those communities would have access to public health nurses when they need them. However, consistent with recruitment challenges across the health sector nationally and noting statements in the Dáil this afternoon, the public health nursing service in Dublin south-west is currently dealing with significant staff shortages. These shortages are mainly due to reductions in the availability of staff due to retirement, internal movement and leave. Despite ongoing recruitment campaigns and attendance at national and international recruitment fairs, the recruitment of public health nurses continues to prove particularly challenging for the Dublin south-west area. The HSE has assured the Minister that it will continue to make every effort to provide the required nursing services to the population despite these recruitment difficulties.

To ensure any impact on service provision is kept to a minimum, the public health nursing service in Dublin south-west has taken the decision to pool resources as a short-term mitigation measure. Public health nursing services will be consolidated in Armagh Road, with a satellite clinic to be provided in Curlew Road. It is hoped the provision of a satellite clinic will ensure minimal impact on service users. It is also important to note the HSE has advised that this change will see no impact on those receiving domiciliary nursing services. The HSE expects implementation of this process to begin the week of 3 April 2023, with a communication letter to be issued to service users and relevant stakeholders in advance of this date. Importantly, the HSE has advised that this measure will be subject to daily monitoring to ensure continuity of care and to manage risk. The HSE has also reiterated that, as and when staffing levels increase, nursing staff will return to Curlew Road. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has also been informed that occupational therapy services, dietetics and addiction services will continue to be provided from Curlew Road health centre.

In addition, in response to the broader challenges of recruitment and retention of public health nurses, the HSE established a community nursing national oversight group last year.

The group is tasked with developing proposals and recommendations which will aim to address the issues in recruitment and retention of public health nurses and community registered general nurses. Of course, the Department recognises the stress and frustration caused by the shortages in public health nursing. The Department and the HSE encourage any service users with concerns to contact their local public health nursing service directly. I note the points raised by Deputies Bríd Smith and Aengus Ó Snodaigh with regard to transport links. It is a critical issue for elderly people and others accessing services or clinic appointments.

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