Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Health so the answer I will articulate is directly from his Department.

The demand for gynaecological services consistently outstrips supply, with increased waiting lists being experienced across all service delivery areas. I am advised that in an effort to improve access and ensure a more sustainable gynaecology service, the HSE's national women and infants health programme has developed an ambulatory gynaecology model of care. It is envisaged that the implementation of the model of care will help to reduce the waiting times mentioned by the Senator for women awaiting general gynaecology, including patients with endometriosis. The new model of care involves the establishment of one-stop see and treat ambulatory gynaecology clinics. These clinics will help to ensure that gynaecology patients receive safe and appropriate treatment, reduce the need for multiple appointments, ensure a more effective use of public funds and improve clinical outcomes.

I understand that approximately 70% of general gynaecology referrals are suitable for management in this new setting. Moreover, redirecting appropriate cohorts of women for care in an ambulatory setting will bring direct downstream benefits by freeing up scarce resources in acute hospitals, such as gynaecology theatres that could then be used for more complex procedures. In addition, given the need for health services to continue to provide safe and appropriate care in the context of the ongoing pandemic, ambulatory gynaecology provides a real opportunity to move services into a community setting, thus avoiding the need to bring patients to a hospital where Covid-19 might be prevalent. It is welcome that we are starting to treat women in their communities and not looking on these issues, which have been raised this morning, as something special that necessitate a visit to hospital because we should deliver services in a community setting.

I am advised that the roll-out of phase 1 of the new model of care commenced this summer with the establishment of the first three clinics under the governance of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Cork University Maternity Hospital and University Hospital Galway. In addition, a more limited clinic is being developed in University Hospital Waterford. I am informed that the ambulatory gynaecology clinics in Cork and Galway are already providing services. It is anticipated that the Rotunda clinic will be operational in the new year once the necessary refurbishment works have been completed.

The implementation of this model of care directly reflects the Government's commitment to promoting and improving women's health, as highlighted in the programme for Government. Under budget 2021, funding of €12 million has been provided for maternity and gynaecology services. I am advised that a proportion of the funding will be used to develop up to five additional ambulatory gynaecology clinics next year. I am sure that the Senator will seek these services to be provided in her area with the assistance of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Subject to funding availability, and in accordance with the model of care, it is envisaged that up to a total of 19 ambulatory gynaecology clinics will be rolled out across the country on a phased basis in the coming years. As this House will appreciate, the development of these key services will help to alleviate the significant pressure and extensive waiting lists for this key women's health specialty.

I welcome the news today that partners of women can now attend 20-week scans. That is something that all Members of this House, both male and female, have articulated since we returned here last September. They pleaded for compassion to be shown at the special times of one's life whether it be for good or not so good news but such support had to be recognised.