Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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955. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times to see a respiratory consultant at Portlaoise regional hospital; and the number of persons on the waiting list. [1194/21]

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

Further to the deferral of most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of last year due to the pandemic, the HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

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.

In relation to the information requested by the Deputy, the NTPF have advised that Portlaoise Regional Hospital currently only hold a paediatric waiting list for respiratory consultation. The relevant information relating to waiting times for paediatric respiratory medicine is attached.