David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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694. To ask the Minister for Health the services offered by the HSE for which there is a waiting list; the median and mean wait time on each list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36163/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As a result of the significant impact of COVID 19 on routine health services and the impending Winter period which brings its own pressures, the health service is facing unprecedented challenges for the delivery of services in a COVID environment.

Resuming health and social care services and building the health sector capacity and capability for the pressures of Winter 2020 and into 2021 is a priority for the Government.

It is important to recognise that many vital services have continued throughout the pandemic, ensuring that priority care needs were addressed and the most vulnerable protected even at the height of this crisis

The HSE published its Strategic Framework for Delivery of Service Continuity in a COVID Environment (June 2020). This ensures that services are restored in a prioritised manner with investments targeted at rebuilding services guided by Sláintecare - shifting service provision from Hospital to community-based care. This ensures a safer environment for patients and service users.

Over the summer period we have seen a gradual resumption of many of those services that were curtailed, although unfortunately there are still areas where the level of service falls below that which was being delivered up to mid-March.

To ensure the continued and appropriate delivery of Health Services in a COVID Environment, The HSE have developed the ‘Delivering Health Services in a COVID-19 Pandemic’ Plan. This plan includes the normal winter plan that would incorporate enhancement to services to cope with winter pressures, but also takes a more strategic approach by considering actions necessary to resume services and building capacity such that the system can deal with expected demand and pressures to the end of 2020/21.

The Plan was considered as part of the estimates process which concluded with the Government announcing an additional €4 billion in Budget 2021 for health services which is the largest health budget increase in the history of the State.

The HSE are in process of developing it’s 2021 National Service Plan  which will set out the type and volume of services that the HSE will provide for its financial allocation including the additional €4 billion announced in Budget 2021.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to examine the issues raised by the deputy and to respond to him directly and to provide the data sought, as soon as possible.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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695. To ask the Minister for Health the duration of waiting lists at a hospital (details supplied) by the number of patients waiting in three-month increments - for example, the number waiting for three months, six months, nine months and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36175/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and made considerable improvements to access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts.

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.

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.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

The data requested by the Deputy concerning Cataract surgery waiting lists in Cork University Hospital is not available as this Hospital provides a regional tertiary referral ophthalmic service for the South-South West region and access to inpatient services for Ophthalmology is via the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH).

The waiting lists for patients awaiting cataract surgery at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, as well as the number originating from County Kerry is outlined in the document below.