Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to address the waiting times to obtain an appointment to see a rheumatologist in the mid-western areas of the country in view of the fact that persons with fibromyalgia are left on long-term waiting lists resulting in low quality of life due to pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23696/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals. I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when appointments are delayed.  

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the auspices of the NPHET Expert Advisory group will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput. 

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June.  Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non-Covid 19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non-Covid 19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.

In relation to outpatient waiting lists for Rheumatology in the mid-western area, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that they have approved a number of initiatives to improve waiting times for outpatient appointments in the University of Limerick Hospital Group. This includes 1,150 additional Rheumatology outpatient clinic appointments.