Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware that despite all the progress on Covid, long Covid is causing a great deal of suffering for people. We heard some testimony earlier on "Morning Ireland", which the Deputy may have heard, from people who are suffering from long Covid. We also heard, however, from the clinical leads about what is happening, and it is clear services are being put in place, as they must be.

To ensure people who need the care get it, the HSE has developed a plan for national long-Covid services, which are being rolled out. The model of care provides a framework for how the services are designed and delivered. It has an holistic focus on service delivery, provided through GPs and community-led interventions, with specialist consultant-led clinics where appropriate.

The investment in this service has trebled this year, so we are taking it seriously. To date, six long-Covid clinics have been established as well as six post-acute Covid clinics, while two further post-acute clinics are due to become operational shortly. As well as that, a dedicated neurology clinic is being established in St. James's Hospital to provide specialist assessment, diagnostics and treatment planning for patients who have persistent symptoms, as was mentioned by the clinical leads this morning. The service is led by a consultant neurologist. In addition, the HSE has developed online resources for the self-management of symptoms. Critically, there is additional training for healthcare workers, including GPs, who are trying to support their patients.

Recruitment is ongoing to fully staff the new long-Covid service. Staff include consultants in infectious disease, respiratory medicine, psychiatry and neurology as well as health and social care professionals and clinical psychologists. In total, an additional 39.4 staff have been recruited to date and further recruitment is under way.

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