Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on this important matter. I commend him on his constant advocacy for services and supports, especially for older people, in his area.

Demand for ophthalmic services has grown in the region over recent years. This is due to both the development of new treatments and the ageing population profile. It is, however, important to say - I say it every opportunity I get - that we have the highest life expectancy in Europe, as deemed by the World Health Organization. That did not happen by accident. We are doing our very best to support older people to age in place. It is one area I have put a strong focus on as Minister of State with responsibility for older people. So many people have challenges with cataracts. They can be very healthy people, living well at home, but when your sight is affected, it can have a huge negative impact on you. I welcome the opportunity to address this today. Recent reports predict that demand for these services will continue to increase in the coming years.

In line with recommendations in the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology: Model of Eye Care, published in 2017, and the Reconfiguration of Acute Hospital Services: Cork and Kerry, it was decided that there should be a regional department of ophthalmology. The South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital was chosen as the site best suited for this. The HSE has advised that this reconfiguration of ophthalmology services in Cork began in 2014, with all elective and emergency surgery from Cork University Hospital and the outpatient department of the Mercy University Hospital to be transferred to the South Infirmary.

The new ophthalmology unit at the South Infirmary includes two operating theatres; anaesthetic, scrub and prep rooms; a recovery unit; and an ophthalmology day unit. The new unit also includes the most modern equipment and will have access to supportive diagnostic technology.

In addition to developing hospital services, this new unit will support continued work with the regional eye care service based in the primary community care centre in Ballincollig. This will further strengthen links between the community and the acute hospital setting for the benefit of ophthalmology patients.

The HSE, in response to the Senator's questions, has confirmed that the transfer of outpatient and eye casualty to the South Infirmary began in 2019; however, the process was paused, as the Senator will understand, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This transfer was reinstated last year, with a commitment on the part of the South/South West Hospital Group to work with CUH and the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital to complete reconfiguration. The transfer of the diabetic retinal screening service from CUH to the Ballincollig primary healthcare centre commenced in August 2023, with clinics commencing on 28 August 2023. The transfer of outpatient services also commenced in August 2023, and the HSE has confirmed to me that it is planned to finalise the transfer of this service to the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital by the end of March, that is, by the end of next month.

The HSE has also confirmed that the majority of emergency surgery is now being delivered in the South Infirmary and that pathways between CUH and the South Infirmary have been agreed in cases of major trauma presentations that require immediate ophthalmic surgical input.

The new ophthalmology unit provides further evidence of the Government's commitment to the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital and to the people of Cork in providing the most appropriate care in the right place and at the right time. The new ophthalmology unit is an extremely significant milestone in the evolution of services, both acute and community, for the people of Cork and the South/South West Hospital Group.