Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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1277. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding high-risk surgical patients; his plans to address the backlog of surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32894/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

The resumption of services from June has led to an increase in scheduled activity. Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

It remains the responsibility of the treating consultant to clinically prioritise patients for surgery on waiting lists. In the context of Covid 19 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland issued a Guide for Prioritisation of Urgent Scheduled Surgical Conditions in May this year. It can be viewed here